Women Traveling Alone-How to Stay Safe
Whether you're a business, student or leisure traveler, women traveling alone in the U.S. and abroad today need to be vigilant about their personal safety. Here are some tips to keep you safe on any trip.
Plan Ahead
Map out your trip in detail before you go. Know as much as possible about your destination, especially foreign, in advance including local customs, restrictions, dress code, distances, and currencies. Check the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairssite for travel updates. Make sure your passport, visas and other identification are signed and valid.
Make two photocopies of your trip itinerary, passport and identification. Keep one with you (but separate from your actual ID), and leave one with friends or family so they'll know where you'll be at all times.
Stay at national or well-known hotel chains for peace of mind. Their reputation and consumer satisfaction ratings are likely higher and are easier to obtain.
Pack light and use laminated business cards for luggage so your home address is not displayed. Carry necessary medications in original containers and ensure you have insurance to cover your medical needs while you travel.
About Hotel Safety
Get to know the staff. Ask for a room on a higher elevation, near the elevator but away from emergency exits or stairwells. If the clerk calls out your room number, ask for another room and that it not be announced. Inspect the room with hotel personnel in attendance before you take the key to ensure doors and windows have working locks _ or request another room that does.
Always lock and deadbolt the door when you are in the room. Carry a personal lock or bell to attach to the door for added security. Keep the curtains closed. Use the peephole to identify anyone at the door, and call the front desk if someone claims to be from the hotel. Never open the door to a stranger.
Most hotels have voicemail, so if you're not expecting a call late at night, let it go to voicemail. You can check the message and phone the caller back if it's legitimate.
If you'll be out at night, have the concierge arrange door-to-door transportation, and ask hotel security to accompany you to your room on your return. Leave the "do not disturb" sign on your room when you're gone.
Always Be Aware
Always be aware of your surroundings, it could be helpful in case you need to report a problem or ask for help. It is recommended to travel in the company of others whenever possible to minimize potential threats.
Know where you're going, armed with a map and, more convenient, a personal Global Positioning System (GPS) device. Get directions and transportation assistance from the concierge.
Carry a cell phone with international call capabilities. You can buy travel phones that have calling plans with world access and no roaming charges.
Carry a small, sturdy flashlight in your hand _ convenient for dark streets even if you're with a companion.
Use Good Common Sense
Look and act confident, and try to blend in with the locals as much as possible. Never announce that you are traveling alone and wear a wedding or engagement ring (even if you are single) to discourage unwanted male attention. You can buy fake or cheap rings for this purpose.
Regarding jewelry, keep your valuables at home. Avoid showing your wealth through your attire as this attracts potential thieves. Carry your identification, plane tickets, traveler's checks and cash in a money belt worn around your waist. Some women carry one credit card and some cash in concealed pockets of their bra. Sling your handbag over your shoulder and across your body and hold onto the bag with your hand. Never drape it over a chair in a restaurant.
Never leave a map with your itinerary highlighted in a rental car.
Be alert in crowds as they are popular places for pickpockets. If you are bumped and robbed, let the bag go and yell for help rather than risk assault.
If you need help, ask a woman or families with children for assistance.
If you are followed, duck into a hotel, store or other public place to lose the person. Or, grab a cab, even if you're only going a few blocks.
Stay alert and keep safe!
Plan Ahead
Map out your trip in detail before you go. Know as much as possible about your destination, especially foreign, in advance including local customs, restrictions, dress code, distances, and currencies. Check the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairssite for travel updates. Make sure your passport, visas and other identification are signed and valid.
Make two photocopies of your trip itinerary, passport and identification. Keep one with you (but separate from your actual ID), and leave one with friends or family so they'll know where you'll be at all times.
Stay at national or well-known hotel chains for peace of mind. Their reputation and consumer satisfaction ratings are likely higher and are easier to obtain.
Pack light and use laminated business cards for luggage so your home address is not displayed. Carry necessary medications in original containers and ensure you have insurance to cover your medical needs while you travel.
About Hotel Safety
Get to know the staff. Ask for a room on a higher elevation, near the elevator but away from emergency exits or stairwells. If the clerk calls out your room number, ask for another room and that it not be announced. Inspect the room with hotel personnel in attendance before you take the key to ensure doors and windows have working locks _ or request another room that does.
Always lock and deadbolt the door when you are in the room. Carry a personal lock or bell to attach to the door for added security. Keep the curtains closed. Use the peephole to identify anyone at the door, and call the front desk if someone claims to be from the hotel. Never open the door to a stranger.
Most hotels have voicemail, so if you're not expecting a call late at night, let it go to voicemail. You can check the message and phone the caller back if it's legitimate.
If you'll be out at night, have the concierge arrange door-to-door transportation, and ask hotel security to accompany you to your room on your return. Leave the "do not disturb" sign on your room when you're gone.
Always Be Aware
Always be aware of your surroundings, it could be helpful in case you need to report a problem or ask for help. It is recommended to travel in the company of others whenever possible to minimize potential threats.
Know where you're going, armed with a map and, more convenient, a personal Global Positioning System (GPS) device. Get directions and transportation assistance from the concierge.
Carry a cell phone with international call capabilities. You can buy travel phones that have calling plans with world access and no roaming charges.
Carry a small, sturdy flashlight in your hand _ convenient for dark streets even if you're with a companion.
Use Good Common Sense
Look and act confident, and try to blend in with the locals as much as possible. Never announce that you are traveling alone and wear a wedding or engagement ring (even if you are single) to discourage unwanted male attention. You can buy fake or cheap rings for this purpose.
Regarding jewelry, keep your valuables at home. Avoid showing your wealth through your attire as this attracts potential thieves. Carry your identification, plane tickets, traveler's checks and cash in a money belt worn around your waist. Some women carry one credit card and some cash in concealed pockets of their bra. Sling your handbag over your shoulder and across your body and hold onto the bag with your hand. Never drape it over a chair in a restaurant.
Never leave a map with your itinerary highlighted in a rental car.
Be alert in crowds as they are popular places for pickpockets. If you are bumped and robbed, let the bag go and yell for help rather than risk assault.
If you need help, ask a woman or families with children for assistance.
If you are followed, duck into a hotel, store or other public place to lose the person. Or, grab a cab, even if you're only going a few blocks.
Stay alert and keep safe!