The Secrets Of Safe Travel
The Age
Saturday July 15, 1995
Minimising risks is the best way of ensuring a memorable holiday. Joan Mooney explains how a little planning and forethought can avoid major headaches.
TURN on the television news or open your newspaper and you'll find stories about countries experiencing war, riots, earthquakes, plane crashes, floods and outbreaks of nasty diseases.
Don't let it put you off travelling. Few travellers get involved in major disasters, especially if they avoid known trouble areas. Often, risky situations could have been avoided with more careful planning and sensible precautions.
Here are some tips to help you have a safe trip.
Danger zones .
When planning your trip, contact the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for an updated list of countries to avoid (totally or certain areas) and those where you need to stay highly aware of personal security. The Consular Travel Advice lists such countries, gives detailed advice on each and provides addresses and phone numbers of the relevant Australian missions.
If you do visit one of these countries call at the Australian embassy or consulate on arrival, leaving your name, hotel address, itinerary and phone contact number, plus a phone number for family/friends at home. The same applies if unexpected trouble arises anywhere you visit.
Demonstrations.
Avoid any temptation to take a look. Even peaceful gatherings can suddenly turn nasty. Rock throwing or shooting can sometimes occur. It happened in Bangkok three years ago and still happens in various countries including Israel.
Don't wander around at night in certain countries, especially alone.
Avoid dubious areas in any city.
If war, civil disturbance or natural disaster occurs, keep well away from trouble areas, ask advice of your nearest Australian mission and leave as soon as possible.
Law and order issues.
Respect a country's laws, customs and manners. Travellers should conform with dress standards: women should wear long-sleeved dresses in Arab countries. Visitors to temples, mosques and churches may need to cover their heads or remove shoes.
Customs and quarantine.
Declare if you are over the duty-free allowance. You will pay duty only on the excess. Don't carry in food, plants or seeds. Fresh flowers are fine as long as you have them checked on arrival by a Customs official. Newly-purchased clothing is allowed in duty-free if accompanied; if posted it attracts high duty.
Illegal drugs .
Never offer to carry a parcel into or out of a country for a stranger, no matter how harmless the person seems. Never leave baggage unattended and always keep your suitcases locked to prevent access by others.
Possession of illegal drugs is considered a serious offence and may attract life imprisonment, flogging or even the death sentence. Many countries make no legal distinction between so-called ``soft" drugs (e.g. marijuana) and ``hard" drugs. In some countries (especially Muslim countries) alcohol is illegal.
If you need to carry prescription drugs or a syringe and needles (e.g. a diabetic) take a letter from your doctor explaining your medical condition and the need for these.
Photography.
Don't photograph military installations, airports or (in certain countries) bridges and don't snap anything guarded by a soldier.
Foreign affairs.
You may have an image of a romantic affair with an attractive stranger but in these days of Aids and other nasty sexually transmitted diseases it isn't worth the risk. If you go ahead, insist on a condom but remember they are not failsafe. You could come home with an unwanted souvenir.
Aids is now the leading cause of death among Americans aged 25 to 44 and heterosexual transmission is the leading route of HIV transmission in women in the US.
Out-of-date passport.
Always check that your passport will be valid for at least six months beyond the period of your planned travel. A number of countries will not issue visas if your passport expires within six months of the date of intended entry.
Lost passport.
Keep your passport separate from other forms of identification to minimise the risk of losing all your identification at once. Always travel with extra passport photographs and photocopies of passport details and birth certificate to facilitate replacement.
If your passport is lost or stolen overseas you must report it to the police and the nearest Australian mission which can issue a replacement one. There may be some delays, the new passport may be of limited validity and you will have to pay for it. Tampering with or altering your passport in any way is an offence under the Passports Act.
You should fill in personal details on page three of your passport in pencil, so you can change the information, if necessary.
Visas.
Always check on what visas you will need well ahead of travel. Some visas attract a fee.
On entering an overseas country your passport will normally be stamped with an entry permit valid for a limited period. If you want to stay longer, you must have your visa extended before it expires.
Otherwise you could be fined or imprisoned. If this should happen contact the nearest Australian mission.
Before travelling check with your travel agent or airline if a visa in your passport for certain countries may exclude entry to others, for example, Israel.
Arrest.
Ask to contact the nearest Australia mission (embassy, consulate, high commission). Taking an unwise photograph or being in the wrong place at the wrong time could put you at risk.
Lost travellers' cheques/Lost credit card.
Always keep these in sight when making purchases. Report the loss immediately to local police. You may need a record for a subsequent insurance claim. If lost/stolen documents are difficult to replace and you are running short of money, the Australian Consul may, in certain circumstances, be able to make a small loan to help you out temporarily.
Plane safety.
Some airlines (including local carriers in some countries) have poor safety record. Inquire before flying it may be better to take a train or bus. On one flight I was allocated a seat without a seat belt. Luckily a more adventurous passenger offered to change seats. I accepted. His had a safety belt.
Read the safety instructions in the seat pocket. On take-off listen and watch while hostesses demonstrate safety measures.
Remember the cheapest flight may not always be the best way to go.
Hitch-hiking.
Don't. It's an invitation to disaster. Take sufficient money for a plane, train or bus.
Safe driving.
Keep all doors and windows locked when driving and when you leave the car. Never pick up a hitch-hiker. If you intend driving in an unfamiliar area, plan ahead. Carry maps. Know your route. If lost don't stop and ask a bystander, wait until you reach a petrol station or roadhouse.
Hotel safety.
Travellers, especially women alone, should consider booking a centrally located hotel near restaurants. They are not all expensive.
Don't economise by booking a more remote but cheaper one. Avoid dubious areas. You may have added expenses e.g. taxis if there is no convenient public transport. If travelling alone, ask for a room near the lift. Corridors should be well lit. Keep the safety chain on and double lock your door. Ensure windows are safe. Don't give anyone your room number or admit strangers.
If they claim to be room service, ring reception and check. Put valuables in the hotel safe, either at reception or in your room. Keep cameras out of sight.
Ask at reception which areas to avoid when sightseeing. Request a card with the hotel name, address and phone number both in English and the local language. Most have a small street map showing the location.
Show it to taxi drivers.
Taxis .
Ask the hotel receptionist to order a taxi and find out the approximate fare and length of journey. Make sure the driver turns on the meter. At night don't hail taxis on the street. Phone for one.
If a driver wants to take you shopping or elsewhere, or makes a pass at you, never give your name, room number or (unless you are being driven there) hotel name. If unhappy, write down his name, number and cab company's name.
Health.
Have a medical checkup some months before leaving home. Ask your GP or vaccination centre doctor what injections are needed. Inquire about possible health risks.
Pack a fold-up hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and umbrella. Take a warm sweater or cardigan even for hot countries. You may need it for cooler hill country, or chilly air-conditioning, common in South-East Asian hotels and restaurants. A heavy cold or flu can spoil your trip. Pack prescriptions, medication, an extra pair of glasses (even if you wear contact lenses) in your hand luggage and a small first aid kit.
Adequate health and other travel insurance is essential In some countries the blood supply cannot be guaranteed free of HIV or hepatitis B. If injured or ill overseas try to avoid or postpone a blood transfusion unless absolutely necessary. Carry in your wallet a card specifying your blood type, any allergies and illnesses which may affect treatment (e.g. asthma, glaucoma). If you need an injection make sure needles and syringes have been sterilised or come straight from a sterile package. In some countries syringes and needles are re- used.
I take syringes and needles together with a letter from my doctor when travelling to certain countries. Vaccination centres often sell them as well as first-aid kits. Some business travellers now take disposable blood transfusion sets with them.
If in places with doubtful hygiene standards, drink only bottled water, avoid dairy products (including icecream), cold meats, seafoods (prawns, oysters) and raw salads. Eat peeled fruit. Hygiene may be poor even in first-class hotels.
Before visiting malarial countries, start anti-malarial tablets and continue them as your doctor instructs, wear long sleeved shirts and slacks, use insect repellent and avoid being out-of-doors between dusk and dawn.
If you need a doctor overseas ask hotel staff, the local Australian mission (embassy, consulate, high commission) or airline staff for recommendations. Many hotels have a doctor on call.
Travel insurance companies usually have a 24-hour worldwide medical assistance reverse charges hotline for use in medical emergencies.
Australian missions can provide help in the case of accident, serious illness or death and arrange for next-of-kin to be informed.
Have a dental checkup before you leave home and any dental work done straight away.
These precautions observed, forget your worries and enjoy yourself.
© 1995 The Age
