Travel safety is an important part of travel and being prepared with phone numbers, contacts and travel insurance can make all the difference in your travel experience. Traveling in Europe is generally pretty safe but accidents or bad people can happen anywhere, so it pays to be prepared. While it may seem like a lot of paperwork or a lot of things to do, follow these safety tips to keep you and your loved ones safe when traveling.
Study the place you are going to go before you go.
Obviously, you are looking up already researching where you are going by visiting this Web site. Knowing the city or country you are going to ahead of time, learning at least a few basic phrases in the language will go a long way toward. Brush up on your German or learn basic phrases. I highly recommend investing in a language translator, I have a Casio translator that I have had for years that has served me well. For the latest in technology you might want to check out the ECTACO electronic translators and dictionaries. If you want to learn German easily while driving in your car, I strongly suggest "Speak German With Michel Thomas" CDs.Gather Your Itinerary Information and Your Contact Numbers Together
Make sure you give a copy of your itinerary to someone back home, including your hotel addresses and phone numbers and flight or travel plans. Keep a copy of your emergency contact numbers with you as well as a list of the consular offices in your destination city or country. You can get all the addresses for consular offices from the embassy in your home country.US State Department - Embassy and Consular Offices Listings - http://usembassy.state.gov
The Canadian Embassy - http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/world/embassies/menu-en
UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office has several great tips and listings - http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029390590
Register With Your Embassy When You Travel to a Foreign Country
While you are getting the numbers for the embassies where you are traveling, take one more step and register with your embassy to let them know you are going to be. Both the Canadian and US governments allow you to do this online.US Embassy Traveler Registration - https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/
Canadian Register Abroad - http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/sos/rocapage-en.asp
Consular offices can help you with translations,local officials, contacting loved ones or other emergency services. Even though many cities do not have local consular services, duty officers can often provide help and recommendations from cities that may not be in close proximity.
Buy Travel Insurance Before You Go
Travel insurance is very important. One good online site is Insuremytrip.com which provides you with offers from several reputable insurance companies. Buy a good policy that provides coverage for :- The whole duration of your travel
- Any sports you might do may require a special rider
- Personal Liability
- Trip cancellation or problems with airlines
- Your belongings
Most policies will not cover drink or drug related incidents or loss of your possessions if you have not taken reasonable measures to protect them (i.e., using the hotel safe).
Take a copy of your policy and the emergency numbers with you and keep all receipts including medical bills, tickets and police reports.
Pack as Lightly as Possible
It is always a good idea to travel light if you can. There are several easy packing tips for packing for a trip to Germany and if you are planning on a lot of train travel, you don't want to be burdened with extra baggage. Extra baggage is an invitation to petty criminals who may see your burdens as an opportunity to acquire some new belongings of their own.Pack Your Medications and a Prescription from Your Doctor
New travel regulations have made it harder to bring medications on board the plane in your carry-on luggage, but it can still be done. Check with theTSA and make sure you have the proper documentation for your prescriptions. Most major cities in Germany have American pharmacies (generally near the main train stations) where you can fill prescriptions from the US should it become necessary. If you have allergies of any kind, make sure you have a list of your allergies in case you are involved in a medical emergency or fall ill.Make Copies of all Your Documents and Leave a Set With Someone at Home
Make three copies of :- Passport
- Drivers License
- Birth Certificate
- Credit Card Numbers
- Emergency Numbers & Contacts
- Relevant medical documents if you have anything you are under a doctor's care for.
- Travel Insurance & Medical Insurance Documents
Embassy Emergency Contact Numbers for US and Canadian Citizens
The toll-free number for US consular duty personnel abroad can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week through 1 888-407-4747 or 202 647-5225. They can connect you directly to the embassy nearest you and will redirect your call to the appropriate person.If you are Canadian, you can call collect to (613) 996-8885 (where available). For calls originating in Canada, call 1 800 267-6788 or (613) 944-6788. In a number of countries, you can also call the 24/7 Operations Centre toll-free.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings and Take Basic Precautions
Being aware of your surroundings is important no matter where you are. Petty theft is the most prevalent crime in Europe so keep your handbag close, put your documents, credit cards and money in a safe place. Hint: the back pocket of your jeans is not a safe place. A money pouch or money belt (silk money belts are nice and light) is a good idea when worn under the clothing. Basic common sense should direct you most of the time, don't drink too much, walk down dark alleys or look too much like a tourist. If you need directions, don't stand on the corner with your tourist map and if anyone gets uncomfortably close to you for any reason, make your way quickly to the nearest well-lit place with a lot of people.Victim Assistance Programs Thay May Be Able To Help at Home or Abroad
If you are the victim of a crime, your state will most likely have a Victims Assistance program that provides financial and counseling support to victims of crime overseas. The National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards has valuable information and links where you can receive help once you are home. Web site : http://www.nacvcb.org/.
If you happen to be in the US, or even abroad, you can call the National Organization for Victim Assistance (1 800 TRY-NOVA) or log onto their Web site for information on programs that may be available to you.
Web site : http://www.trynova.org.