|
C.O.G.I.C. Travel Tips
- Always pray before getting on the road (if you forget, then pray while your on the road, anywhere it doesn't matter)
- keep a spare key
- pack a medical kit
- Do a maintinance check on your vehical
- A Little Common Sense Goes a Long Way
- Money belts are cheap idea, and I recommend you invest in one. However they're so common these days that anyone looking to steal from you knows where you keep your valuables. That is - unless you get a real money belt - not the canvas ones that you strap round your waist, but the real ones which look exactly like your common or garden belt, but have a carefully concealed zip on the inner side.
Keep your cash, travellers checks, etc. in different places on your person when you go out - and whether on the move or stationed somewhere, NEVER keep all your cash in one place. Put some down a sock, some in that little inside pocket of your jeans, etc. Those fanny packs are cool, but I'd never keep anything valuable in them, as it's too easy for someone to grab and run.
- Internet to the Rescue!
- Before traveling, scan your documents (passport, travelers, identity and vaccination card) and send them to your email adress. In case of problem you can print them everywhere in any cybercafe in the world.
- Don't Advertise Your Home Address
- Luggage tags should not have your home address on them. Instead fill in with your business address
- Doorstopper
- When staying in hotels, be sure to bring your own rubber doorstopper. Lodge the doorstopper from the inside, for added security.
- First Floor Rooms Are Not the Most Secure
- When checking into a hotel, request a room that is not on the first floor (if possible). Also, while rooms that have sliding doors leading into a pool area are nice, they also increase your risk of being broken into.
- Have a Plan
- Before your trip starts discuss the problems associated with getting separated in a strange city. Tell ALL of the people in your group that if you get lost or separated from each other to return to the last place you were together. As an alternate meeting place, tell them to return to the car or pick up point for your transportation, every hour on the hour. (This points out how important it is to plan a place and time to meet and ALWAYS park in a well-lit and safe area).
Talk to your children about where you are going and the different types of transportation you will be on. Talk with all group members about safety and security, and discuss any special problems anticipated in the regions you will be in.
Teach your kids to memorize your home phone number and that of at least one other relative at home (including area code).
|
