What to Carry With You (apart from Travellers Cheques)

Besides the originals, a copy of your passport, travel visas, airline tickets and travel documents. A list of any charge or credit cards you are carrying. Remember to keep the copies seperate from the originals.

An International Driving Licence, which can be obtained through the automobile association. Even if you are not planning to drive, bring your driver's licence with photo for identification.

An "in case of emergency card" that includes your blood type, allergies, and special medical conditions, along with the names and numbers for your doctors.
Your Medical Insurance Identification Card.

Additional supply of prescription medicines, an extra pair of eyeglasses, and don't miss to keep a list of your medicines in your carry-on luggage.
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What to leave behind?

A copy of your Passport, Travel Visas, airline tickets, insurance documents and a list of any charge or credit cards.

A copy of your Itinerary and phone numbers.

A copy of your Travellers Cheques' serial numbers.
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Other Planning Tips

Check that your passport is NOT close to expiring.

Avoid putting travel documents, prescription medicines, valuables or travellers cheques in checked baggage.

Sign each Travellers Cheque in the top left corner to protect yourself in case of loss or theft.

Put your name, address, and telephone number inside each piece of checked and carry-on luggage.

Use your Business Address, if possible, on your luggage.

Use Lockable Luggage.

Register valuable items such as cameras, laptop computers, and jewellery with Customs, before departing. (It also saves you import fees when you return)

Consider purchasing special international health insurance and medical evaluation plan programmes.

Plan to travel in comfortable, casual clothing to avoid attracting attention.
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Staying Safe

Never leave your luggage, briefcase or other items unattended. When you set them down,place them between your feet, or against your leg.

Watch your carry-on items closely when they go through security; Thieves are known to take items off the end of the unit while you are held up in the screening process.

Avoid currency exchange windows if possible, or exchange only a small amount.

Do not let others see how much currency you are carrying.

Be wary of imposter porters. Assure they are properly uniformed or identified.

Note how many pieces of luggage and other items you brought with you, and count them each time they are handled.

Use only authorised, properly identified taxis and buses. Avoid taxis that pick up additional passengers.

Assure that the whole luggage is placed inside the taxi trunk and the lid is closed before entering the taxi.

Don't accept an offer to share a taxi to your hotel unless you know the individual.
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At the Hotel

Obtain a Safety Deposit Box upon check-in for your passport, visas, airline ticket, most of your cash, travellers cheques, jewellery and valuables. Carry only a passport photocopy.

Never leave valuables in your room, even in locked luggage or guest-room safes.
Avoid displaying the sign requesting room-cleaning service; it identifies that the room is unoccupied. Make such requests in person to the cleaning personnel or the front desk.

Keep a television or radio switched on in the room when out; it gives the impression that the room is occupied.
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Street Smart

Be aware that criminals occasionally use children and 'helpless' women in their distraction ruses.

Carry only that much amount of cash or travellers cheques that you expect to use during your trip, away from your hotel.

Men should carry their wallets in their front pockets.

Women should carry their purses close to their bodies with the latch side facing in. If possible, carry money and identification in a seperate, small wallet in your pocket.

Consider wearing a money belt or fanny pack.

Carry small amount of cash seperate from the rest of your money so that you dont have to "flash your cash" when making a small purchase.

Go to ATMS that are well-lit and in secure locations. If you must use an ATM, don't withdraw large amount of money at one time and don't let a possible thief see where you keep it on your person.

Be extra alert in areas where large crowds congregate or where others might naturally stand close to you: airports, trains, bus stations, elevators, escalators and open-air markets.

Exercise caution before trying to help if a "fight" suddenly breaks out; the antagonists may be criminal partners.

Walk in the middle of a sidewalk; too close to the road leaves you open to thieves on motorbikes known to grab purses as they ride past.

Travel with a Detailed Map and prominently mark the hotel, embassy and police station. Familiarise yourself with the directions before leaving the hotel. Don't stand on a busy corner trying to read the map, your belongings may disappear; find a safe place like a cafe to sit and look at the map.

Carry a piece of hotel stationery with you; it comes in handy when communicating with local taxi drivers.
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What to Do When You are a Victim of Crime

Don't resist a robber; Your life or safety is more important than whatever you are carrying.

Scream, yell, get help.

Have your local contact or the hotel manager assist you in contacting the police to report a theft.

Keep a copy of the police report; you need it for verification with insurance and in replacing stolen cards/travellers cheques.

Report any lost or stolen credit or charge cards immediately.

Contact the embassy and the appropriate airline if your passport and airline tickets are lost or stolen. Use your extra copies to expedite replacement.