Travel Safety Tips
Following are travel tips to help make the most of your vacation. We recommend that you print a copy of this list as a reminder to make safety your No. 1 priority. And keep a printed copy of your domestic or international travel insurance plan with it-just in case.Before you leave home:- Check the status of your flight. Most airlines want you to check in at least an hour (two hours for international flights) before your flight is scheduled to depart.
- Allow plenty of extra time at the airport (generally 2 hours prior to departure). New security procedures have increased the time needed to check-in. Build in more time if traveling with young children, infants or people with disabilities.
- Check with your airline to see if curbside check-in is available.
- FAA guidelines now allow travelers only one carry-on item plus one personal item such as a purse, briefcase, laptop computer, or small book bag-style backpack. Other personal items allowed include coats, child safety seats, diaper bags, books or newspapers, small bags of food and assistance devices such as wheelchairs, walkers and oxygen. These carry-on allowances vary from carrier to carrier. Please confirm what is allowed with your carrier before leaving home.

Travel Safety Tips at the Airport:
- Keep your bags and personal belongings within reach at all times.
- Do not accept packages from strangers.
- Do not joke about having a bomb or firearm. Do not discuss terrorism, weapons, explosives, or other threats while going through the security checkpoint. Security personnel are trained to consider the slightest mention of these topics as a serious threat.

Checking In and Security Checkpoint:
- Adult passengers are required to bring a government-issued photo ID. If a government-issued ID is not available, bring two pieces of ID, one of which must be from a governmental authority.
- Remember, only ticketed passengers are allowed beyond the security checkpoint. Be prepared to show identification at the ticket counter, security checkpoint and before boarding the plane.
- Electronic items such as laptop computers and cell phones may be subject to additional screening. Be prepared to power on electronic items for screening personnel. Also, be prepared to remove your laptop from its travel case so it can be X-rayed separately.

International Travel Tips
- In the event of a riot or civil unrest, go to your hotel and call the consulate and your airline. Do not go to the airport without a confirmed ticket or assurance that it is safe.
- International law requires that the American consulate (U.S. Interests Section, if no consulate) be notified if you are arrested or detained. You are entitled to a timely visit by a consular officer. They will notify family, get money transferred, and ensure you receive fair treatment.
- Lost passport: Call local police and the consulate. Temporary passports are available. Also, pack a photocopy of your passport separately from the original and carry an additional passport picture. This will expedite the replacement process if the original passport is lost or stolen.

General Security Tips:
- Whether you are traveling domestically or internationally, don't become a victim.
- Do not carry large quantities of cash. Traveler's checks provide personal security and can be replaced.
- Do not carry jewelry, wallets, or purses-wear a non-visible money belt.
- Transfer money from your money belt to pockets in your hotel room or in a bathroom.
- Use your dress and appearance to blend in with the crowd. Take the time to research local dress codes, so as not to stand out.
- Once you have arrived, keep your airline tickets in a separate, secure location from your passport. Also, remember your credit card number is on your airline ticket!
- When traveling to a foreign country, always carry the required travel documents such as your passport, visa and tourist cards.
- Be aware of local scam artists; always assume you are being watched.
- Always inform others of your plans (family, consulate/embassy).
- Leave copies of all your information (credit cards, passport numbers, travelers checks, air tickets) with family or friends at home.
- Avoid walking alone at night.
- Do not take shortcuts. Stay on well-traveled streets.
- Avoid demonstrations and acts of civil disobedience. Seek immediate shelter in hotels, restaurants, police stations, etc.
- Withdraw money from ATMs only during daylight hours, preferably in banks or hotels.
- Never leave valuables in plain view in your car. Lock items in your trunk before reaching your destination.

Make your hotel stay safer
- Take hotel room keys with you to the pool or spa.
- Find out in advance if there is on-site security.
- Verify that window and door locks are secure.
- Place valuables in a safe and get a receipt. Check the hotel's insurance liability limit.
- Be careful of exits and elevators on your way to the room. If you are alone late at night, ask for an escort. Be suspicious of anyone loitering around the lobby.
- Close your door tightly when entering or leaving your room.


Helpful hint:
- Check with your airline regarding what you can carry on the plane as new rules and regulations have been implemented. Also, check the
weather forecast for your destination, and local customs for clothing guidelines. For your convenience, several seasonal and vacation
specific items are recommended on this list. Remember, travel experts advise to pack light. Don't forget to pack your travel insurance
policy!

Clothing
Belt Hat Shirts Shorts Suit & Tie Dress/Skirt Pants T-shirts
Shoes/Sandals Socks Swimming Suit Underwear

Clothing for Cold Weather
Gloves Sweater Winter Hat Winter Jacket Silk or other long underpants, t-shirts or camisoles

For carrying money and important documents
Fanny Pack Purse Money Belt Wallet Security pouch for valuable documents

Money and important documents Cash Travelers Checks Credit Cards Drivers License ID Card Passport Vaccination Certificate Visa Tickets Airline Bus / Train Cruise Ship Theatre Health & Hygiene Antacid/Laxatives Aspirin/Pain Relievers Condoms Dental Floss Deodorant Feminine Hygiene First Aid Kit Hair Brush/Comb Hair Dryer Insect RepellentLip Balm Moisturizer Soap Sun Protectant Vitamins Motion Sickness Tablets Water Purifying Tablets Toothbrush & Toothpaste Shampoo & Conditioner Allergy Pills (anti-histamines) Nail Clippers (pack in suitcase, not in carry-on baggage) Shaving Equipment (disposable razors ok to carry-on)
Hairspray and any other styling products Books Guidebook Phrase Book Magazine Novel Miscellaneous Backpack Batteries Binoculars Compass Flashlight Handkerchief Maps
Passport Pictures Photo Equipment Plastic Bags Raincoat Sewing Kit Sunglasses Umbrella Wall Socket Adapter Watch Water Bottle Portable CD/Cassette Player Bungee Cords/Rubber Bands Extra Glasses/Contact Lenses Swiss Army Knife (pack in suitcase, not in carry-on baggage)

Some additional packing tips:
- Pack heavy items, such as shoes and toiletry kits, before the more delicate ones. Place them along the suitcase's spine to balance weight at the bottom.
- To reduce wrinkling, turn jackets inside out and fold them in half with tissue paper or dry-cleaning bags. Also, layering plastic bags or tissue between clothes, also helps to prevent wrinkles.
- Hang clothing in the bathroom while showering to steam out wrinkles.
- Line the bottom of your suitcase with your trousers and let the legs hang over the outside edge of the suitcase. Then pack the rest of your travel gear with the lighter materials on top. Wrap trouser legs over the pile; they'll keep their crease.
- Stuff socks and rolled-up belts into shoes to save space.
- Take along plastic bags for laundry or wet swimsuits.
- Bring an empty, soft bag for souvenirs.
- See your doctor at least 4-6 weeks before your trip to allow time for shots to take effect.

Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG).Hepatitis B, if you might be exposed to blood (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, stay longer than 6 months, or be exposed through medical treatment. Japanese encephalitis, only if you plan to visit rural areas for 4 weeks or more, except under special circumstances, such as a known outbreak of Japanese encephalitis. Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation. Typhoid vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region. There have been recent reports of typhoid drug resistance in India and Nepal. As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles, and a one-time dose of polio for adults. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended
for all infants and for children ages 11-12 years who did not receive the series as infants.

To stay healthy, do...
Wash hands often with soap and water. Drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles. Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes. If this is not possible, make water safer by BOTH filtering through an "absolute 1-micron or less" filter AND adding iodine tablets to the filtered water. "Absolute 1-micron filters" are found in camping/outdoor supply stores. Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself. Remember: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it. If you are going to visit areas where there is risk for malaria, take your malaria prevention medication before, during, and after travel, as directed. (See your doctor for a prescription.)

Protect yourself from mosquito bites:
Pay special attention to mosquito protection between dusk and dawn. This is when the type of mosquito whose bite transmits malaria is active. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats. Use insect repellents that contain DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide). Read and follow the directions and precautions on the product label. Apply insect repellent to exposed skin.
Do not put repellent on wounds or broken skin.
Do not breathe in, swallow, or get into the eyes (DEET is toxic ifswallowed). If using a spray product, apply DEET to your face by spraying your hands and rubbing the product  carefully over the face, avoiding eyesand mouth.  Unless you are staying in air-conditioned or well-screened housing, purchase a bed net impregnated with the insecticide permethrin or deltamethrin. Or, spray the bed net with one of these insecticides if you are unable to find a pretreated bed net.
DEET may be used on adults, children, and infants older than 2 months of age. Protect infants by using a carrier draped with mosquito netting with
an elastic edge for a tight fit.
Children under 10 years old should not apply insect repellent themselves. Do not apply to young children's hands or around eyes and mouth. For details on how to protect yourself from insects and how to use repellents, see Protection against Mosquitoes and Other Arthropods. If you are visiting friends and relatives in your home country in areas where malaria occurs, please read the malaria prevention recommendations
for recent immigrants on the CDC malaria site. To prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and
do not go barefoot. Always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

To avoid getting sick...
Don't eat food purchased from street vendors. Don't drink beverages with ice. Don't eat dairy products unless you know they have been pasteurized. Don't share needles with anyone. Don't handle animals (especially monkeys, dogs, and cats), to avoid bites and serious diseases (including rabies and plague). (For more information, please see Animal-Associated Hazards.) Don't swim in fresh water. Salt water is usually safer. (For more information, please see Swimming and Recreational Water Precautions.)

What you need to bring with you:
Long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and a hat to wear while outside whenever possible, to prevent illnesses carried by insects (e.g., malaria, dengue, filariasis, leishmaniasis, and onchocerciasis). Bed nets impregnated with permethrin. (Can be purchased in camping or military supply stores. Overseas, permethrin or another insecticide, deltamethrin, may be purchased to treat bed nets and clothes.) Flying-insect spray or mosquito coils to help clear rooms of mosquitoes. The product should contain a pyrethroid insecticide; these insecticides quickly kill flying insects, including mosquitoes. Over-the-counter antidiarrheal medicine to take if you have diarrhea. Iodine tablets and water filters to purify water if bottled water is not available. See Do's above for more detailed information about water filters. Sunblock, sunglasses, hat.

Prescription medications:
make sure you have enough to last during your trip, as well as a copy of the prescription(s). After you return home: If you have visited a malaria-risk area, continue taking your antimalarial drug for 4 weeks (doxycycline or mefloquine) or seven days (atovaquone/proguanil) after leaving the risk area.Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever or flu-like illness either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the physician your travel history.

For more information:
Ask your doctor or check the CDC web sites for more information about how to protect yourself against diseases that occur in the IndianSubcontinent, including the following: Diseases carried by insects Dengue Japanese encephalitis Malaria - General information - Prescription drugs Plague Diseases carried in food or water Cholera Escherichia coli diarrhea Hepatitis A Typhoid fever Diseases from person-to-person contact Hepatitis BHIV/AIDS - Prevention - HIV-infected travelers