Travelling Safety Tips
Airport Pickups
When being collected at the airport or other public travel hub, make sure the person
collecting you has a copy of the confirmation documentation as it is relatively
easy for somebody to copy a collection board.
Business Acquaintances
Do not hold business meetings in your hotel room. Think twice before allowing other
people to store their belongings in your room as its an open invitation for them
to come and retrieve them. Use the concierge storing service instead.
Car
Considering investing in a key-fob activated car alarm so that you can active your
car alarm from close by if needed.
Company Identification †
If you work for an organisation that receives unwelcome attention from the public,
try to hide anything that would make you identifiable as an employee of that organisation.
Drink spiking
Its not only bars and nightclubs where one might be at risk from somebody dropping
drugs into your drink, think about coffee meetings in hotel lounges etc. Beware
of leaving your drink unattended and be wary of drinking anything that you haven't
opened yourself or hasn't been poured by a waiter.
Destination
Try and arrive at your destination before dark and pre-check you can get into any
buildings beforehand.
Double Locking Doors
For our security we have come to expect that hotels rooms have at least two independent
door locks and often a chain too. But rather than take for granted the fact that
the locks will just work as intended, its better to test these as soon as you enter
your room. If they don’t it’s acceptable for you to ask for them to be fixed or
to be relocated to another room, something that you are less likely to do once you’ve
fully unpacked and are just about to retire.
Driving †
Put together an emergency kit for your car, this might include an extra coat, a
torch, bottled water and spare change. Join a vehicle recovery service and check
the representative's ID when they respond to your call.
When driving to meetings, try to plan where you will park before you go. If safer
to do so, park as close to your destination as possible. If you will be returning
after dark, consider what the area will be like then and try to park near street
lights. Keep your doors looked in built-up areas and stop-start traffic. Do not
keep valuables on display where they could be grabbed through an open window or
unlocked door.
Road rage incidents are rare and, by not responding to aggression from other drivers,
can often be avoided. If the driver of another car forces you to stop and then gets
out of his/her car, stay in your car, keep the engine running and if you need to,
reverse to get away.
Handbag
It's a fact that handbags and their contents are becoming increasingly more valuable
as we carry our mobile phones, blackberry's, money, cards and cosmetics. Evaluate
what you really need to carry around with you and what would be really inconvenient
if it's stolen. For example, is it essential that you take all your loyalty cards
and address book to a business meeting or can they stay in your hotel safe? Have
copies of your credit card, driving licence and other important documents to aid
recovery or replacement if they are lost or stolen.
Hire Car
Make sure the car has sufficient fuel before you embark on your journey. Remove
all obvious signs that you are driving a hire car, such as literature and advertising
banners.
Home
Leave details of your itinerary and hotel with somebody back home.
Hotel
See details on our female friendly hotels section and try to book a hotel that takes
care of your personal comfort and safety concerns. If you plan to be late, contact
the hotel to ensure they will hold your room. Do not allow visitors into your room
or to store their belongings there. Always lock your door when inside your room.
If the door to your room is ajar when you arrive, do not enter the room but report
it to the hotel staff
Luggage
Use an inconspicuous suitcase rather than an expensive looking designer label. Mark
the inside of your luggage with your name, house number, postcode and country. Use
good quality luggage locks and additional brightly coloured straps or adornment
so that you can easily identify your luggage on the baggage belt.
Meetings
Always make sure let people know where you are going, who you are meeting and when
you intend to return.
International Travel
Always be aware of local customs with regards to dress and appearance, firstly not
to offend the locals but to ensure you don't invite unwanted attention.
Name Badges
When leaving the office or a conference be sure to take off your security or name
badge, these often hold information that you wouldn't want to share with a stranger.
Parking your car †
Avoid using poorly lit car parks. Whenever possible, choose a manned car park and
park as close as you can to the attendant. Reverse into the space. Hide away all
valuables and obvious possessions. Make sure the interior light is working. Shut
all windows. Lock all doors. Note exactly where you have parked your car.
When parking in a car park, consider where the entrances and exits are. Try to avoid
having to walk across a lonely car park to get to your car. Park away from pillars/barriers.
If you can, reverse into your space so you can drive away easily. If you collect
a ticket on entering the car park, do not leave it in the car, as this will make
it easier for a thief to steal your vehicle. When returning to your car, have your
keys ready so that you can get in quickly. Before entering scan the back seat to
check no-one has climbed in. Once you are in the car lock the doors immediately
and drive off quickly.
Police
If whilst driving you become aware of an emergency or police vehicle requesting
you to stop, ensure that you only do so when you are in a busy well-lit area such
as a petrol, service or police station. Be especially aware if the vehicle that
is requesting you to pull-over does not have the usual (or any) emergency vehicle
markings. If you are at all suspicious do not open or get out of your vehicle.
Public Transport
Make sure you have timetable and tickets or fare information before you travel.
Try to stand with a group of people when waiting for public transport, in well-lit
areas and near emergency alarms and CCTV cameras. Have details of alternative routes,
connections and later buses and trains in case of a delay or diversion. If something
or someone makes you feel uncomfortable, act upon your instinct. It may be better
to move seats before a problem arises.
Room Number Allocation
Some hotels are unaware of the fact that it is bad form to announce your room number
verbally, potentially to a lobby of other guests. If this happens to you, ask for
a new room and for the number to be shown to you discretely.
Room Safety
The most common cause for alarm in hotel rooms is when two people are accidentally
allocated the same room. By placing the waste paper bin behind your door, you will
be immediately alerted if somebody manages to get in with a key card and likewise
it will alert the other person too that the room may already be occupied.
Satelite Navigation
Think of an alternative name for your home address rather than setting a destination
as 'home' in your SatNav. if your SatNav is stolen alongside your house keys, it
could create more opportunities for criminal activity against you or your property.
Talking on the telephone
Beware of how much information you give away about yourself whilst speaking on your
mobile phone in a public place or public transport. Always make sure you take a
charger with you (and adapter where necessary), so you're not caught out in an emergency.
Many hotels will have spare mobile phone chargers.
Taxi's †
Always use a taxi or licensed minicab. Taxis (Hackney Carriages) can be hailed in
the street. They look like purpose-built taxis or black cabs and have an illuminated
taxi sign on the roof. Licensed minicabs cannot be hailed in the street. They must
be pre-booked. The driver should have ID and the vehicle will have some sort of
license displayed on it. Where possible use a female only taxi company such as
Mums Cars
Confirm the driver's details when they arrive - is it the taxi or minicab you ordered?
If you are ordering a cab from a public place, try not to let people overhear your
name and address - anyone could pretend to be your cab. Sharing a taxi or minicab
with a friend and sitting in the back of the car are also good safety strategies.
If you chat to the driver, be careful not to give out any personal details.
Never use taxis or minicabs that are not licensed. If you do you are getting
into a vehicle with a stranger. Many people who have used these cabs have been the
victims of crimes such as theft, assault and rape.
IF YOU FEEL THREATENED
Remember to trust your instincts - if you are at all worried - ask the driver to
stop in a busy area, and get out of the car.
If the driver refuses to stop, use a mobile (if you have one) to call the police
and alert other drivers and pedestrians by waving or calling out of the window.
Before leaving a taxi, take one of the drivers' cards so that if you have left any
personal items in there such as your mobile telephone, purse, keys etc. you have
a chance of retrieving them.
Valuables
Only carry the minimum necessary while working and do not draw attention to yourself
by overtly displaying valuables, e.g. mobile phone, pda, expensive jewellery etc.
If you have to carry valuable equipment e.g. laptops, ask your employer for guidance
on how to do this as safely as possible. Your safety is always more important than
your possessions, if somebody tries to steal your possessions it is safer to give
them up. Do not attempt to recover any stolen items yourself; contact the police.
†
Spread your valuables such as mobile telephone, wallet and keys about your person
so that you minimise the risk of all of them being taken.
Venturing Out
Before venturing out of your hotel, take a business card or something with the hotel
address on it, it may come in handy if you get lost or have trouble communicating
with a taxi driver.
Walking
Always carry your (car) keys separately from your handbag, if your handbag is stolen
you can still safely get home, if you are in an area where you feel threatened a
key can be used as a weapon in an emergency.
Consider carrying a personal safety alarm. Remain alert and aware of your surroundings
at all times. A confident appearance (walking tall, normal pace, arms relaxed) will
make you look less vulnerable. Try to avoid danger rather than confront it - keep
to well-lit or busy streets and avoid danger spots as much as possible. Walking
away from an argument can be a simple but effective way to prevent an incident.
† Information supplied by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust
Why not print out this page and refresh yourself with all these tips periodically?