Safety Tips for Travelers to Foreign Countries

You arrive at the airport, a nice man asks if he can give you a ride to your hotel, the next thing you know, you're stranded somewhere with your luggage and all your money stolen. Sounds like something that would never happen to you? Don't be so sure. People who con others for a living are always on the lookout for unsuspecting tourists whom they can "help". A tip to the wise: don't accept offers from anyone approaching you, whether it's to help you find your way to the hotel or whether it's to sell you products upon your arrival. Don't assume that if someone is selling in a large place, such as an airport or outside of a mall, that they are legitimate. Hail a cab outside or have pre-arranged a car or ride to your lodgings.

Those who run con games or sell drugs can spot the tourist from a mile away. Make sure your kids are safe by not letting them walk the streets alone. Even if only going to the corner store it's important to never let kids walk without adults. Of course, some areas of a particular city are more dangerous than others, but unless you know the area well, it's best to always accompany your kids. The best way to avoid dangers of this kind is to refuse any offerings of someone on the streets, other than a market place-type setting, and even then, be very careful.

Watch how much you drink. If you're stumbling around out in public while drunk you're an easier target for con people, drug dealers and prostitutes. Don't make the mistake of thinking that these types of things don't go on in the neighborhood where you are. Crimes take place in all neighborhoods and the local criminals know which hotels are popular with the tourists and often target these areas.