This document provides 17 tips for staying safe when traveling internationally. It recommends preparing documents and contact information in advance, researching political and health issues at the destination, and taking basic safety precautions during travel like avoiding isolated areas, only taking licensed taxis, and dressing appropriately for the local culture. Some specific safety tips include requesting window seats near exits on flights, verifying unknown visitors in hotels, and having a small first aid kit with essential supplies. The overall goals are to be aware of one's surroundings, avoid demonstrations or unrest, and not discuss sensitive political or religious topics.

1. INTERNATION TRAVEL SAFETY TIPS
1. PREPERATION NEEDED PRIOR TO TRAVEL
• Research political issues.(Terrorism)
• Business concerns. (Organized crime)
• Health (Vaccine needed, water quality)
• Documents (Passport, Airline tickets, travelers
checks, credit cards)
• Airline and hotel. (4 to 5 star chain)
• Telephone and addresses of: (Business, embassy, consulate,
police, hotel, host contact)
• Have DL and international medical coverage. (Copy and leave
at home, and e-mail copy to yourself and your business rep)
• Get small amount of host country money prior to travel.
• Mix of travelers checks and host country money.
2. RESEARCH TRAVEL LOCATION
• Check travel date against anniversary of past terrorist events,
successes, or celebrations. (www.OSAC.com)
• Current geopolitical events are occurring in the area.
3. AIRPORT AND COMMERCIAL FLIGHT CONCERNS
• Move thru security as quickly as possible. (Highest risk of
attack in this area of airport).
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• Get window seat near exit if possible. Avoid 1 class or isle
seat. (Most likely victim of attacker)
• Do not discuss or work on confidential business. (People around
you can see and hear you)
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2. 4. CARRY ON SAFETY KIT IN CARRY ON BAG
• Small flashlight.
• Survival mask. (Fire/Smoke)
• Small mouthwash. (Helps kill certain biological elements)
• Gel sanitizer. (Reduce exposure to biological elements)
• Cipro tablets. (Fights exposure to bacterial agents.)
• Extra prescriptions and meds, contacts, glasses.
• Gum, toothpaste and brush, aspirin, dry cloth and wet wipes.
5. HIJACK PRE-CAUTIONS
• Avoid eye contact.
• Do not draw attention by anger, argument, pleading.
• Listen and obey instructions. (Unless 9-11 style suicide mission)
6. RESCUE ATTEMPT
• Get on the floor and stay there until told otherwise.
• Do not move or stand until told to do so.
7. AIRPORT PICK UP
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3. • Do not use company name or personal name on placard.
(Reduce risk of kidnapping or espionage.)
8. IN TRANSIT SECURITY BY FOOT OR VEHICLE
• Travel in well lit populated areas.
• Avoid dining at American brand name restraints if in country
that is dismissive around American geo political issues.
• Consider hiring reputable driver service.
• Use only approved taxi service.
• Avoid demonstrations and political rallies.
• Do not discuss political issues of host country.
9. SAFETY AWARNESS GUIDLINE
• Safety in walking in groups. Studies show that 2 people together
reduce risk of assault by 70%. 3 or more by 90%.
• Have a map of the area with key points identified, local
currency, and emergency contact numbers. (Police, Embassy,
Hotel, local contact for business)
• Copy of passport on you, with copy in hotel safe.
• Carry money in inside jacket pocket, front pants pocket or
money belt.
• Separate funds in safe locations on your person. (In case of pick
pocket)
• Keep briefcase, laptop and important papers near you and
insight at all times. (Takes seconds and can be gone)
10. COMMUNICATIONS
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4. • Learn how pay phones work in location. (Have right change
with you.)
• Cell phone with international coverage. (T-mobile has best
coverage for Europe.)
• Rent or purchase satellite phone prior to trip.
11. HOTEL SECURITY
• Use company address for sign in.
• Use color code tags w/o name or business on suitcase for
identification for bellman to bring luggage to room.
• Do not leave room key at front desk. (Put in safe)
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• Reserve room for 2 to 7 floor. (Fire service ladders reach up
to 7th floor.)
12. HOTEL ROOM SECURITY
• Locate and memorize your nearest stairs, fire alarm,
extinguisher. (In case of emergency)
• Put important documents in room safe, or hotel safe.
• Keep room locked at all times when in room.
• When leaving room, put out do not disturb sign, keep lights and
radio or TV on.
• Purchase rubber door stop and use on main door and bathroom
door when showering.
• Verify unknown visitors to your room before allowing in. If in
doubt, call front desk or cleaning service to verify.
• If possible, be present during cleaning. If you cannot, have all
important documents and items secured.
• Assume in any foreign country that your room, phone and fax
have been compromised. (Be careful what you say and send)
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5. 13. HOTEL FIRE SAFETY
• Have fire safety kit with you in room. (Fire hood, duct tape,
flashlight, list of phone numbers to contact, cutting tool, written
plan of escape)
• Do not waste time! Act as soon as you have indication of a fire
in your hotel.
• KEEP CALM! Call the front desk and state the location of the
fire. Do not use the elevator!
• Before leaving your room, check the door by placing your palm
against the door and then on the doorknob. If they are cool,
grab your room key and head for the stairs... If the hall contains
smoke, crawl to the exit. (Count the doorknobs between your
room and the exit. Check stairwell door prior to entry.
• Put on a portable smoke hood included in your kit.
• If the room door or knob feels hot, do not open the door. For
fresh air, open a window, but do not break it, as you may need
to close it again if smoke starts to enter from the outside.
• Call the front desk and advise you are in your room. Call 911
and leave your room number, and call someone in your family
to tell the authorities where you are.
• Fill bathtub and sink with water; soak towels and blankets to
block vents and openings around the door to keep smoke and
fumes out. Try to keep the walls, doors, and towels cool and
wet. If necessary, swing a wet towel around the room to clear
smoke from the air. It may help to cover your mouth and nose
with a wet towel.
• You can use the duct tape in your kit to cover door cracks and
tape magazines over smoking air vents.
• While in your room, stay low but keep alert for rescue from the
hall or street level. Let firefighters know where you are by
waving a towel or sheet out the window. You can also spell
“HELP” with the duct tape on your window.
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6. 14. BUSINESS CENTER SECURITY
• Computers may have key stroke readers that will save all typed
e-mail and documents prepared on that unit.
• Clear the cache and recycle bin as well as delete documents
prepared prior to signing off.
15. NEED MEDICAL ATTENTION
• You can be treated at U.S. Military base if in the area.
• Call phone number listed with your international medical
insurance for hospital and procedure for use of service.
• Always have your medical alert tags on you.
16. TRAVEL FIRST AID KIT
• Small flashlight and extra batteries.
• Large and small band aids.
• Door tool and all in one tool.
• Needle and thread.
• Snacks and bottle of water.
• Permanent marker. (leave messages)
• Whistle.
• Notepad and pencil.
• Small radio.
• Small mirror.
17. HOW TO DRESS IN COUNTRY
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7. • Dress according to local cultural norms.
• Dress casual.
• Avoid obvious American dress if in country averse to U.S. geo
political affairs.
• Avoid military style dress.
KEY POINTS
• Be aware and pay attention to what’s going on around you.
• Avoid demonstrations or areas of civil unrest.
• Avoid taking pictures of military or government institutions.
• Listen to your gut. If something does not feel right, it isn’t.
• Avoid hot button discussions around religion or politics.
• Have working cell phone with you and know how it works in
the country you are in.
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