Safety
Tips for your Orlando Holiday
Protect
Your Passport
Your
passport is the most valuable document that you will carry abroad.
Please guard it carefully. Do not use it as collateral for a
loan or lend it to anyone. It is your best form of identification.
You will need it when you pick up mail or check into hotels.
When entering some countries or registering at hotels, you may
be asked to fill out a police card listing your name, passport
number, destination, local address, and reason for travel. You
may be required to leave your passport at the hotel reception
desk overnight so that it may be checked by local police officials.
These are normal procedures required by local laws. If your
passport is not returned the following morning, immediately
report the impoundment to local police authorities and to the
nearest embassy or consulate.
Carelessness
is the main cause for losing a passport or having it stolen.
You may find that you have to carry your passport with you because
you need to show it when you cash traveller's cheques or the
country that you are visiting requires you to carry it as an
identity document. When you must carry your passport, hide it
securely on your person. Do not leave it in a handbag. Whenever
possible, leave your passport in the hotel safe, not in an empty
hotel room, and not packed in your luggage. One family member
should not carry all the passports for the entire family.
Guard
Against Thieves
Coat
pockets, handbags, and hip pockets are particularly susceptible
to theft. Thieves will use all kinds of ploys to divert your
attention just long enough to pick your pocket and grab your
purse or wallet. These ploys include creating a disturbance,
spilling something on your clothing, or even handing you a baby
to hold! You can try to prevent theft by carrying your belongings
in a secure manner. For example, consider not carrying a purse
or wallet when going along crowded streets. Women who carry
a shoulder bag should keep it tucked under the arm and held
securely by the strap. Men should put their wallets in their
front trouser pockets or use money belts instead of hip pockets.
A wallet wrapped in rubber bands is more difficult to remove
without notice. Be especially cautious in a large crowd, subway,
on buses, at the marketplace, at a festival, or if surrounded
by groups of vagrant children. Do not make it easy for thieves!
Legal
Tips
Obey
Foreign Laws
When
you are in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws. It
helps to learn about local laws and regulations and to obey
them. Try to avoid areas of unrest and disturbance. Deal only
with authorized outlets when exchanging money or buying airline
tickets and traveler's checks. Do not deliver a package for
anyone, unless you know the person well and you are certain
that the package does not contain drugs or other contraband.
Before you think about selling personal effects, such as clothing,
cameras, or jewelry, you should learn about the local regulations
regarding such sales. You must adhere strictly to local laws
because the penalties that you risk are severe.
Drug Arrests
Many
tourists are arrested abroad each year. Of these, approximately
one-third are held on drug charges. Despite repeated warnings,
drug arrests and convictions are still a common occurrence.
Many countries have stiff penalties for drug violations and
strictly enforce drug laws. If you are caught buying, selling,
carrying or using any type of drug - from hashish to heroin
- you will be arrested. During recent years, there has been
an increase in the number of women arrested abroad. These are
usually women who serve as drug couriers or "mules" and who
believe that they can make fast money and have a vacation at
the same time, without getting caught. Instead of a vacation,
they receive a permanent residence in an overseas jail. The
risk of being jailed for just one marijuana cigarette is simply
not worth it!
PLEASE REMEMBER! If someone offers you a free trip and some
quick and easy money, just for bringing back a suitcase...SAY
NO! Do not carry a package for anyone, no matter how small it
may be. Do not let anyone pack your suitcases for you while
you are abroad.
Immigration
and Customs
Have
your passport ready when you go through Immigration and Customs.
If you took other documents with you like a medical letter,
or a Customs certificate of registration for foreign-made personal
articles, have them ready, also. Have your receipts handy, in
case you need to support your customs declaration.
Restrictions
on the Entry of Products from Overseas into the United States
Fresh fruit, meat, vegetables, plants in soil, and many other
agricultural products from abroad are prohibited entry into
the United States because they may carry foreign insects and
diseases that could damage U.S. crops, forests, gardens, and
livestock. Other items may also be restricted, so it is advisable
to be informed about such details before you Travel to the United
States.
Wildlife
and Wildlife Products
If,
while abroad, you purchased any articles made from endangered
animals and plants or any live wild animals to bring back as
pets, you must be aware that according to laws and international
treaties, it is a crime to bring many wildlife souvenirs back
with you. Some prohibited items include those made from sea
turtle shell, most reptile skins, crocodile leather, ivory,
furs from endangered cat species, as well as items made from
coral reefs. The penalties that you risk are severe, and your
purchases could be confiscated.