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).

Get window seat near exit if possible. Avoid 1st 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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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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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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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) Reserve room for 2nd to 7th 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)

13. HOTEL FIRE SAFETY

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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.

14. BUSINESS CENTER SECURITY

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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

Dress according to local cultural norms. Dress casual.

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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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