8 Safety Precautions Before Traveling Outside the US

Before you travel check off your safety list first! It's better to be safe than sorry!

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1.) Sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so the State Department can better assist you in an emergency: This is a FREE online service that will help the State Department contact you if there is a family emergency in the U.S., or if there is a crisis where you are traveling.

2.) Sign passport, and fill in the emergency information:

3.) Make Copies: Have multiple copies of your passport data page, itinerary and credit cards that you are carrying. Also make sure to leave copies at home with family or friends, in case of an emergency.

4.) Phone Numbers & Country Calling Codes: Makes sure you know the calling code to the US if needing to make calls back home. Also make sure you have the following phone numbers programed into your cell phones and copied in multiple places.

•   US Embassies in every country you'll be traveling to
•   Credit card cancellation numbers in case you credit cards have been stolen or compromised
•   Hotel phone numbers

5.) Insurance: Verify with your insurance company overseas coverage for any possible situation including evacuation.

6.) Familiarize yourself with local conditions and laws: While in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws.

7.) Credit Cards: Contact your credit card company to tell them the dates you will be out of the country and which countries you'll be in during those time periods. Most credit card companies will put a hold on your credit card if they see multiple charges from places you're not normally in. They see it as fraud. Also check with them on your overseas currency exchange fees. All credit cards charge you a fee for using your card outside the US for having to convert the exchange rates. The fees are usually between 2-3%.

8.) Social Media: Don't tweet, post, blog or make any other reference to the dates and times that you will be away from your home on any public site. Don't inform others outside your close family and friends or your travel arrangements. Letting the world know you are away from your home is asking for trouble!

For further details on the above information or more safety tips visit the State Department's website at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/tips_1232.html