Traveler's Safety Tips
Traveling for business or pleasure? Remember these safety tips:
- Someone's knocking at your hotel room door. Who is it? Check before opening the door and don't let strangers in.
- It's late at night and you're arriving back at your hotel room. Park in a well lit area, preferably in the main parking lot.
- Once you're in your room, close and lock the door. Check windows and all outside doors to make sure they're locked too.
- Don't needlessly display room keys, valuables or large amounts of cash.
- Don't leave anything of value in your car, including your luggage.
- Always check the room for stray belongings before going home. Look behind doors, in drawers, in closets.
- If you discover you've lost an item, call the hotel immediately.
- Don't advertise you're a visitor. Plan your route with a map in advance. Put the map in the glove compartment or trunk when you arrive.
- Keep your purse and/or wallet with you at all times. Put your wallet in a front pocket of your pants or jacket, not a rear pocket.
- Photocopy travel tickets, credit cards and your passport before leaving home and keep them in the hotel safe. Credit cards you won't need should stay home; likewise irreplaceable photos.
- Travel tickets are as good as cash—keep track of them.
- Hitchhiking is illegal in California—don't pick them up.
- While driving, respect and obey the traffic signs. Don't drink and drive, and always use your seat belt.
- If your car breaks down, turn on your flashers and raise the hood. If you must abandon your car, park safely and keep all passengers together. Freeway call boxes are spaced one half mile apart and are programmed to identify your location.
Have a happy homecoming! Whether you travel near or far, your safety is the top priority.