Summer is here; Real Estate agents are attending seminars and conventions as well as traveling for pleasure. Leisure and business travelers often find themselves in places domestic or international, without a clue as to what the new surroundings have in store. Different cultures can bring on a whole new set of rules.

To travel safely, security preplanning is the key to ensuring success.

The first thing you can do is go online to check for government travel warnings and check the location to which you are traveling.

For example, I’m doing a program for ERA’s Top Producers in Bermuda in July. Now you would think Bermuda would be a relatively safe place, and compared with other international destinations it is. However the Federal government has issued a fair warning:

“CRIME: Bermuda has a low to moderate crime rate. Incidents of serious violent crime are infrequent, but petty thefts and assaults do occur. Valuables left in hotel rooms (occupied and unoccupied) or left unattended on beaches are vulnerable to theft. Criminals often target transportation systems and popular tourist attractions. Examples of common crimes include pick-pocketing, theft of unattended baggage and items from rental motorbikes, and purse snatchings (often perpetrated against pedestrians by thieves riding motorbikes).”

Obviously theft is always a concern. In this case the hotel and rental motorbikes seem to be the focus. I know I’ll be staying in a hotel and renting a bike, so now I have a heads up. Take some time, do some research and go online and learn the ‘crime climate’ of the destination to which you are traveling.

The federal government has also created “Tips for Travelers to the Caribbean” which is a comprehensive guide to traveling safely on the islands. No matter what your destination, there are certain risks.

The following tips are fundamental to staying safe:

1. Understand the fundamentals - body language, awareness, and intuition. Pay attention to the way you walk, your posture, facial expressions and eye contact. Know what is going on 50-100 feet around the perimeter of your body at all times. Pay attention to the feelings inside and around you, when the hair on the back of your neck stands up, watch out.
2. Dress safely on the streets. As the saying goes, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Dress appropriately to the culture. Flashy Americans walk around with a bull’s-eye on them. Adapt to the culture of style and dress. Do everything possible to blend in.
3. Watch for pickpockets and thieves. Cash, credit cards, jewelry, passports and laptops are all target items of the thief. Distraction thieves will draw your attention in one direction as their accomplices steal your belongings. Use hide- away belts and travelers checks.
4. Watch your health. Beware of sunstroke. Get your shots. Hepatitis A and B and Tetanus/diphtheria vaccinations. Malaria and other intestinal virus can ruin a trip or even kill you. Cover your drink, slipped miki’s in the form of sedatives will surely end your trip in someone’s trunk.
5. If traveling out of the country, register with the US Embassy or Consulate and inform them and relatives of your exact travel plans. If your destination becomes unstable the embassy will make you aware of the current climate. Know your options for medical care.
6. Be on your best airport behavior. Keep full attention on your belongings while being screened. Fully cooperate with security personnel and be patient. Be fully aware of anyone distracting you or paying unwanted attention to you. Never joke when security is asking questions of you. People are being prosecuted to the fullest limits of the law for wise cracks pertaining to bombs.
7. Be on guard in your hotel room. Criminals pose as hotel staff all the time, so never open the door to anyone you aren't expecting. If you aren't sure someone wanting to come in your room is legitimate, call the hotel department the person says they are from. Use locks in addition to hotel locks. Staff has tools to bypass existing hotel locks. Plan a fire escape route.
8. Hide your rental car agreement; don't leave it on the dash or in the seat. It's a dead giveaway that you are from out of town. Don’t store valuables in the trunk, many rental cars use the same keys. Don’t pull over for anyone for any reason. Bumps and distress signals are a common ruse. Taxi cabs are not always what they seem to be, exercise caution.

Planning for your safety by knowing your options will help you concentrate on your work, while traveling for business, as well as help you relax when it's time to enjoy your vacation.

Published: June 27, 2002

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