Although purchasing cheap fares, whether cheap airplane tickets or discount travel packages is a great start to a good trip, travelers need to be conscious of their personal safety, particularly when traveling abroad.
The following are steps you can take to minimize your risk when traveling:
Most terrorist attacks at airports occur in the unsecured area outside of security. Once you arrive at the airport, check in and get through security as soon as possible.
Secure your luggage with plastic ties. Airport security often does not like dealing with locks, but will allow ties. Ties have two advantages: First, baggage thieves tend to deal with luggage that is easiest to enter and second, a broken tie lets you know that someone has entered your bag.
If someone will be meeting you at your destination know exactly who that person is. If you are unable to have a photo of the driver, then have the driver use a pseudonym for you instead of your last name when holding up a placard. As you walk to your car or taxi, avoid distractions (such as being on the phone) and be super aware of your surroundings.
Avoid international or high profile hotels since those are the type of hotels a terrorist will target. A local hotel is your best bet. Try to secure a room between the 2nd and 7th floors. Most fire department ladders are unable to reach higher than seven floors. If possible, stay in a room that faces a courtyard and avoid rooms facing the front entrance where car bombs tend to do the most damage.
Always carry a flashlight. In a blacked out hotel a flashlight could be your most valuable escape tool.
Visualize your response to a potential terrorist threat be it in a plane or a hotel. In a plane listen to safety instructions, identify exits and visualize how you would escape. In a hotel determine in advance your best escape route.
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