Tips for Your Security
- Refer to the State Department Web site for travel advisories to destination points.
- Copy all travel documents and keep separate from originals while traveling.
- Give a copy of all copy documents to a friend or relative who is not in your travel party.
- Obtain addresses and phone numbers for American Embassies/Consulates in countries that you are traveling to or staying in.
- Wear nondescript clothing while traveling and use nondescript luggage.
- Enter and exit hotels at varied times and using varied entrances and exits.
- Vary your daily activities and routes, traveling on only well-lit, populated streets.
- Select the safest method of travel within that country.
- Always pack your own bags and do not accept any items that others have asked you to pack.
- Limit the amount of time that you spend in the concourse of an airport that is not secure (usually the shopping and eating area).
- Limit amount of time spent at ticket area by traveling at unusual times.
- Sit at a gate close to your assigned gate, keep as far away from windows as possible.
- Report any suspicious package or bag that you see---move away from object and then notify security.
- Know where closest exit or cover is at all time.
- Carry all essential personal items with you at all times.
- Allow extra time at airports for security check in.
- Request exit isle seats or rear seats near isle.
- Know where the closest exit is at all times.
- Should an attack occur, hit the ground---do not run! Lie on your stomach with feet and knees together and soles facing the attack.
- Obtain a room between the second and eighth floor in a hotel.
- Know emergency exits and routes.
- Never open the door to unknown individuals.
- Keep door and windows locked at all times.
- Keep all door keys with you at all times? Check keys in at desk.
- Secure all personal documents and sensitive material in room safe or hotel safe.
- Hail your own taxi, or wait for the second or third in line.
- Always request a taxi or other shuttle that maintains appropriate credentials.
- Avoid restaurants and social places that cater to Americans.
- Avoid giving the appearance of a tourist (carrying cameras, luggage, etc.).
- When in a place of public assembly---position yourself away from windows and near exits.
- Before entering your car, circle it prior to getting in and look for suspicious activity near you or in your car.
- When using a rental car----keep the gas tank full as possible at all times.
- Carry a map at all times.
- Vary routes. Stay together whenever possible when traveling with family and designate a meeting point to reunite (carry a piece of hotel stationery with you for address and phone number.
- Travel on high traffic roadways. Refer to the Travel State Web site.
- Know your locations of "safe havens" (hospitals, police, fire, and EMS offices)—mark these on your map prior to embarking on trip.
- Park in such a manner that you can pull out rather than back out.
- Check your rear-view mirror---if some one is following you, proceed immediately to a previously designated safe haven.
- Be cautious of slow moving vehicles or vehicles attempting to limit your movement.
- Keep your windows up and car doors locked at all times.
- Remember one word……MOVE (be it forward, backward, left, or right).
Disaster Planning for the Car
We normally spend so much time in our cars, SUV's and pickups that if a chemical or bio-terrorism incident occurs we may be unable to get out of our vehicles during the immediate emergency. We may be stuck hundreds of miles from home. Also, we may be asked to use our vehicle to evacuate from an area. Therefore we must be prepared to remain in our vehicles for an extended period of time. The emergency material maintained in the vehicle should be sufficient for the number of persons we normally carry in the vehicle.
Disaster Kit for the Car
- Sturdy shoes or boots
- Standard First Aid Kit
- Water
- Paper/pencil
- Food that does not require cooking
- Tire repair kit
- Jumper cables
- Tow chain
- Sand/Rock salt in winter
- Gas/ >1/2 tank
- Few dollars/change
- Gloves / Hat
- Plastic bags/large/small
- Blanket or sleeping bag
- Snow Scraper
- Flashlight and batteries
- Reflectors and flares
- Warm clothes during the winter
- Wipes
- Toilet paper/garbage bags
- Maps
- Whistle
- Shovel
- Rope
- Hammer/Nails
Tips at Work
- Vary schedule if possible, including meeting and lunch times.
- Know crisis management plans as well as evacuation plans.
- Be aware of the normal activity taking place around you---report any unusual activity.
- Follow security procedures with logging in, carrying identification, display your id, and be prepared to have bags checked if necessary.
- Do not park in spots identified specifically for individuals----vary parking.
- Park only in secure lots that are attended or open and well-lit.
- Report all suspicious packages or unattended brief -cases.
- Review the FBI Bomb Threat information sheet---keep it near the phones.
Disaster Planning for the Individual at the Office
Your office should have a well thought out disaster plan that is reviewed on a regular basis. You should take the time to learn the office plan and discuss it with your co-workers so that you all are familiar with each other's roles in the plan. Additionally, you should learn if anyone in your office has special needs, or requires special medications. As an individual there are simple things you can do, so that in the event you are stuck at the office your stay, while not your first choice, will not endanger you or your co-workers. The most basic thing you can do is to have sufficient personal items, packed in a bag or backpack that can be used at the office, or carried with you if necessary.
We suggest that you review the General Disaster Plan and adopt those portions that apply to you at your job. The easiest thing you can do is to keep personal gear, and some supplies, at the office so in the event of an incident you are able to fend for yourself and help your co-workers.
Things to Keep at the Office
Your personal office emergency supply drawer should have the following items, at a minimum:
- Toiletries
- Men - Shaving
- Women - personal items
- Soap-washcloth-towel
- Comb-brush-toothbrush
- Clothing - change of underclothing, socks, comfortable shoes, sweatsuit type wear, jeans, t-shirts, gloves
- Flashlight
- Battery radio
- First aid supplies
- Headache reliever
- Tissues
- Candles matches
Food and Water
- 2 qts water per day
- 2 to 3 days of easy to prepare food: Raisins, dried fruit, canned items, can opener, crackers, nuts, pretzels, tuna, applesauce, drinks, etc.
Other Items
- paper bowls
- utensils
- medicines
- paper cups (check out your local camping supply store)
- book to read
- mylar blanket
- jacket if winter
- hard candy - preferably life savers (give to people who are in a panic or otherwise upset. It will help them to calm down.)
This personal gear should be stored in a backpack or carryall that you can easily carry for an extended period of time. It should be enough clothing, food and medicine, if necessary, so that you can exist for 3 days at the office or evacuation shelter.
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