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Travel and Situational Awareness, continued

WALKING

 Be aware of your surroundings and be alert for suspicious activity; keep your head on a swivel.
 Avoid using cell/smart phones (including texting) while walking, as this will not only draw attention to
yourself but will make you less aware of your environment.
 Vary your times and routes to and from work and personal activities.
 Avoid keeping regular appointments and routines (within reason).
 Maintain a low profile and avoid drawing attention to yourself – no expensive jewelry or clothing.
 Identify safe havens and areas of cover along your route; have an escape plan.

DRIVING

 Keep your vehicle’s windows and doors closed and locked; never leave anything in plain sight and
avoid leaving hidden items that broadcast Bluetooth signals.
 Park in well-lit and populated areas, preferably with a security presence.
 Check your vehicle’s interior and immediate exterior before unlocking and entering.
 Always utilize security measures (alarms, locked glove box, etc.) to protect your property.
 Have keys ready before approaching your vehicle, so as not to spend time searching for them.
Parking lots are generally a vulnerable location for thefts.

MONEY

 Keep money, credit cards, and IDs in separate pockets or bags so they are not lost or stolen.
 Use only ATM machines or currency changing in trusted locations.
 Pay attention and look for hidden electronics or objects mounted to the ATM machine, which can be
used to clone your debit/credit card and access your financial accounts.
 Notify your bank and credit card companies of your travel plans.
 Carry your wallet in your front pockets and purse in the front of your person, never behind you.
 Carry the smallest amount of cash needed and credit cards with low credit limits, in the event of theft.

COMMUNICATION

 Creatively use alternate forms of communication in the event your primary forms of communication
fail (i.e. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat)
 Know the location and contact information of the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate; program this
information into your phone.
 Never give out personal information, unsolicited.
 Have a personal emergency plan for you and your family – visit www.ready.gov for preparation tips.
 Be familiar with your phone plan, roaming settings, and international dialing.

PERSONAL

 Travel in groups when visiting crowded establishments or highly publicized events (soccer match,
parade, street fair, clubs, etc.).
 Pay attention to local news reports for incidents of civil unrest, holidays, crime, and natural disasters.
 Use the buddy system for personal accountability – someone should always know where you are.
 Keep important phone numbers in your phone and wallet/purse.
 Be sure to have copies of all travel documents, IDs, etc. saved in a commonplace for easy access.
 Be unpredictable! One of the best ways to deter criminal activity is to randomize routines and habits.

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