| Tips for Safe Travel | ||
| When choosing a hotel... | ||
| •Smaller is smarter: you want the staff to be familiar with guests and with you. | ||
| •Look for a well-trafficked street, neighborhood restaurantsd and late-night stores mean traffic. | ||
| •Aim for a parking lot that is well lit and secure. Find out if there is valet parking and if it will be available when you need it. | ||
| Room Rules... | ||
| •Request a room near the elevators and have your key out when you leave the elevator. | ||
| •The door should have double locks, one of which is a dead bolt- use it. | ||
| •The Do Not Disturb sign can make your rooms seem occupied (especially handy if you leave expensive itmes inside). | ||
| •Lock valuable in the room safe, or the front desk safe. | ||
| Street Smarts... | ||
| •Study a map before going out, have the hotel's conceirge or a female employee mark any dangerous areas. | ||
| •Dress down. | ||
| •Consider wearning a wedding ring. | ||
| •Be wary when getting off a bus or train, or riding stairs and escalators; that's when pickpockets tend to strike. | ||
| •Carry just one credit card and photocopies of important documents. Become familiar with foreign currency before you need to use it. | ||
| •Have gratuities ready for porters and bellman. | ||
| •If you must ask for directions, approach a family or women with children. | ||
| •On sidewalks, keep your handbag and other caluables away from the street side (and on escalators, away from the opposite ramp). | ||
| Transportation Savvy... | ||
| •Use covered luggage tags and use your office address instead of your home. | ||
| •In a public restroom use the corner stall. | ||
| •If you place your carry-on bag on the floor when sitting, put your foot through the strap; don't leave it loose. | ||