Safety tips for those travelling to high-risk countries
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Here we offer a summary of the risks you might incur, as well as the safety measures you yourself can take both before and during your journey. These tips were compiled by Patrik Ripadal, Security Manager at Kapp Ahl.
Make a note of important telephone numbers from the Swedish Foreign Office website, along with contact details for Swedish embassies and consulates. Register yourself on the ‘list of Swedes’ at the Swedish Embassy in the country you are visiting
Add an ICE to your phone contact list
Download the Swedish FO’s travel app
Make a copy of your passport, ticket, hotel booking and insurance – save everything in your email
Make copies of your itinerary and leave them with both your work colleagues and family
Write your address on a note and leave it in your suitcase on top of your clothes
Take a picture of your luggage before check-in. This makes things a lot easier if your bags get lost
Save any particularly important information onto a USB stick
Consider whether key people within the company should travel together, in case anything should happen
Learn a few basic words in the local language such as ‘hello’ and ‘thank you’
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During your trip
Be aware of ‘little accidents’, since these could be a way of diverting your attention
Make regular checks over your shoulder
Count the seat rows on the plane so that, in the event of an evacuation, you can quickly find the nearest emergency exit
Taxis: never go with the first driver to tout for business. Choose well-known companies that have clear signs or badges
In the taxi: be polite but avoid longer conversations. Lock the door and wind up the windows
If you feel unsure when paying, use cash
Learn the name and address of your hotel so as to come across as an experienced traveller and avoid being cheated
If you know in advance that a particular person or driver will be meeting you, find out that person’s name
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At your hotel
Choose a room on floors one to six, since in some countries the emergency services cannot access floors beyond the sixth
Immediately make a note of emergency exits and any other evacuation options
Place a coat hanger on the door handle and/or a chair in front of your door so you’ll notice if someone tries to gain access to your room
Lock away valuables
Obtain a personal travel alarm
Never give your room number to anyone you don’t know
Women travelling on their own should choose a hotel with a ‘women-only floor’
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During your stay
Carry a small amount of money with you or an old wallet containing a few banknotes and old credit cards which you can hand over in the event of you being mugged
Try and blend into the crowd in terms of your appearance, avoiding jewellery and expensive watches
If you find yourself in the middle of an accident situation, remove yourself quickly from the scene. Foreigners risk taking the blame
If you intend to travel a long distance by foot, walk so that you are facing the traffic
Walk at a pace which makes you appear confident
Never hold your handbag with it facing out towards the street
Avoid large gatherings of people
Avoid popular restaurants at their busiest times
Watch out for ‘scams’ and don’t be fooled by strangers asking questions, spilling something on you, putting a note on your windscreen or pretending to throw an infant into your arms. This might be an attempt to divert your attention and expose you to criminal activity
Follow the news from the region on the BBC or CNN, for example
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