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Maintaining Personal Safety & Security

As the business traveller rushes from one meeting to another, often moving between airports in a matter of days or even hours, security is often very much in theirs minds as they pass through one check point after another. Personal safety begins with the individual and it is important to remain aware of any possible risks at all stages of the trip.

Insurance

When you buy your insurance, make sure it will cover the possessions you taking with you on your trip. If you are carrying a laptop, mobile phone, camera or a leather briefcase, think through the cost to replace such items and consider paying for a top-up on the insurance if a basic policy will not cover it. Most policies will have a single item limit and that might not cover your most expensive items.

A consumer watchdog report in London in 1999 reported that the most common complaint to the Air Transport Users Council was lost baggage. If you have important documents to take to a meeting, keep them in your hand luggage. It is hard to put a price on months of work for an insurance claim if your suitcase gets lost.

Check your luggage

When planning your travel, try to use direct flights as much as possible - it makes it far easier to keep a grip on your luggage. Always label your luggage with your destination address and make sure it is properly labelled at check-in before it disappears down the airline conveyor belt. Ensure that all sharp items are removed from your hand luggage prior to travel.

Carry essential and expensive items, money, medication, tickets, passport and insurance papers in your hand luggage - never let your hand luggage out of sight. In some countries it is illegal to 'import' what we would consider over the counter medication or prescription medication. If you are in doubt about what medication you can legally take with you, check with the destination embassy prior to travel.

It is wise to make a copy of your passport details and any other important papers or vaccination certificates that you are carrying with you when you travel. Leave them in a safe place in the office or copy to an Internet based e-mal account. Make sure someone at home either a partner or friend knows how to access it in case of an emergency. You will need photo identification even for air travel within the UK.

At your Destination

If you happen to lose your baggage on arrival at your destination airport, tell the airline immediately and get suitable compensation. Agree on an amount you can spend on essential items that you will need and give them an address to deliver the luggage to when they find it.

The most common form of theft is pick pocketing, so never carry a bag across your back in a busy place, or keep valuable items in an easily accessible wallet. If you take money out of a cash machine do it in small amounts and never with someone leaning over your shoulder.

Be aware of your surroundings at all times; thieves will use many tricks to distract you - wiping something off your shoulder while an accomplice is picking your pocket, getting young children to surround you while they plan to rob your belongings. Trust your instincts, especially when visiting countries where a high poverty rate comes along with high petty crime rates. When not attending meetings, try to blend in with the crowd when out and about - try not to look like a visitor!

Do not in any way get involved with drugs while visiting another country on business. If you find yourself in a country where they are easily available, don't take unnecessary risks and never try to bring them back into the United Kingdom - it could cost you more than your job. If travelling alone, beware of companions in bars - always keep your senses about you and beware of cheap sex. If on return you think you might have contracted a sexually transmitted disease or exposed yourself to HIV see your doctor for advice.

For the woman travelling alone on business, a pair of dark sunglasses in some countries will not go amiss. Avoid eye contact with strangers, especially when travelling on public transport alone. Never behave in a way that will attract members of the opposite sex and beware of the clothing customs in the country you are visiting.