As we pointed out in an earlier post crime can happen anywhere. Criminals don’t spare you because you’re on vacation or traveling for business; in fact, they often target out-of-towners. Even the beautiful islands known for their “no worries” attitude are now worried about getting their crime rates under control. While our previous post focused on being aware of and taking steps to avoid being the victim of a crime, you need to have a plan in case you can’t avoid it.
In a recent article in the New York Times, the Practical Traveler details some tragic crimes against Americans abroad including the death of a young man struck by a speeding car. These sobering events are a good reason to assess how much focus you put on the “what if” when preparing for a trip.
What if you are injured in an accident? What if you are the victim of a crime? If you are expecting to be able to quickly call 911 and get the help you need, you will be unpleasantly surprised. Do you know how to contact the local law enforcement? Can they be trusted? Who can you contact if you don’t feel like you are getting the support you need? Is there an American embassy close by? You may need to contact someone back home to reach out to a local or state legislator who can advocate on your behalf.
On a more mundane level, what if your wallet or purse is stolen? Do you have photocopies of your driver’s license, credit cards and passport secured safely back in the safe of your hotel room? Do you have a separate credit card in the safe in case you lose the one in your wallet?
Regardless of where you are going, minimally you should arm yourself with the support documents and information that you will need in the event that something unexpected happens during your carefully planned trip or vacation. Keep copies of important documents in a safe place, know how to call for help if you need it, and have access to the contact information for the closest American embassy or consulate.
Ideally, you won’t have to worry about any of these things on your trip, but take a few minutes to plan for the “just in case.”
Photo by kafka4prez: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kafka4prez/ / CC BY-SA 2.0
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