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Safety

A Safe Trip Abroad: Assistance Abroad -- If you plan to stay more than two weeks in one place, if you are in an area experiencing civil unrest or a natural disaster, or, if you are planning travel to a remote area, it is advisable to register at the Consular Section of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. This will make it easier if someone at home needs to locate you urgently or in the unlikely event that you need to be evacuated in an emergency. It will also facilitate the issuance of a new passport should yours be lost or stolen.
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U.S. Consuls Help Americans Abroad -- There are U.S. embassies in more than 160 capital cities of the world. Each embassy has a consular section. Consular officers in consular sections of embassies do two things.
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Crisis Abroad: What the State Department Does -- Earthquakes, hurricanes, political upheavals, acts of terrorism, and hijackings are only some of the events threatening the safety of Americans abroad. Each event is unique and poses its own special difficulties. However, for the State Department there are certain responsibilities and actions that apply in every disaster or crisis.
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The Office of Overseas Citizens Services -- Overseas Citizens Services (OCS) in the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs is responsible for the welfare and whereabouts of U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad. OCS has three offices: American Citizens Services and Crisis Management, the Office of Children's Issues and the Office of Policy Review and Interagency Liaison.
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A Safe Trip Abroad: Patterns of Crime Against Motorists -- In many places frequented by tourists, including areas of southern Europe, victimization of motorists has been refined to an art. Where it is a problem, U.S. embassies are aware of it and consular officers try to work with local authorities to warn the public about the dangers.
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Planning to Travel Abroad? -- Pack your patience and your Emotional Intelligence. Turn down the emotion, turn up the forethought. Example - research your destination on the Internet for websites where individuals (not paid interests) can tell you what you can anticipate.
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A Safe Trip Abroad: Precautions To Take While Traveling -- Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home. Be especially cautious in or avoid areas where you are likely to be victimized. These include crowded subways, train stations, elevators, tourist sites, market places, festivals and marginal areas of cities.
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A Safe Trip Abroad -- To avoid carrying large amounts of cash, change your travelers' checks only as you need currency. Countersign travelers' checks only in front of the person who will cash them. Do not flash large amounts of money when paying a bill. Make sure your credit card is returned to you after each transaction.
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Sending Money to an American Overseas -- The State Department strongly encourages you to use commercial services, such as credit card advances, ATMs or Western Union. These services are generally much faster than the State Department transfer system.
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A Safe Trip Abroad: Terrorism -- Terrorist acts occur at random and unpredictably, making it impossible to protect yourself absolutely. The first and best protection is to avoid travel to unsafe areas where there has been a persistent record of terrorist attacks or kidnapping. The vast majority of foreign states have good records of maintaining public order and protecting residents and visitors within their borders from terrorism.
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