Walking / Hiking Safety.

There are very few random attacks. Victims are selected and targeted specifically .However your behaviour can help you to avoid being targeted by criminals . remember career criminals are looking for an easy mark , not a challenge .

• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash or wearing expensive jewellery.

• Camera around the neck identifies you as a tourist, always carry it secured or in a camera bag

• Please remember that expensive cameras, laptop, watches, bundles of cash etc can be equivalent to a year’s salary in many places!

• When changing money make sure to get sufficient quantity of small denominations.

• Carry a second wallet with a small amount of local currency/old cancelled credit cards in it . Carry this fake in your back pocket where most people carry their wallet .Carry your real wallet in a zipped pocket to the front of your person . If you are mugged , hand over this fake wallet . Everybody wins.. The mugger gets some money and you avoid injury or worse at very little cost .

• In most countries theft is an accident of life and police will not even make an effort to investigate, but murder, especially of a foreigner, is a major event. From the point of view of a thief, that means that he has no interest in hurting you: if he doesn't hurt you, he's likely to get away with his crime, but he hurts you the police will be after him. Most of the time a thief who is after your wallet or luggage has no interest in hurting you.

• Split up credit cards, e.g. carry one in your wallet and perhaps leave one in your hotel safe . Separate cash and credit cards don’t carry it all together! Always have enough cash to get you home somewhere else other than your wallet.

• Don’t hang onto bags and purses in grab and run type assaults . There is nomediumg in the contents of any bag worth losing your life or looks for… Let it go.

• Do not tip beggars or children. This can draw the attention of muggers, etc. also never make passing remarks to these people as you may spark off a violent reaction

• When walking in a strange place , if someone tries to ask a question or to obstruct your path simply keep walking . Don’t stop , don’t answer questions and don’t speak to these people . The first mediumg your assailant must do is to get you to stop moving , don’t let them .

• If travelling with children, bring along an updated photograph of each child in the event that you become separated from them. Write your child's name and your hotel number on each card; include a close friend's or relative's contact information on the card. Give a card to each child which they will carry with them as long as you are away. Destroy once home. Discuss with your family what they would do in event of an emergency while away from home, e.g. whom to call, how to contact emergency personnel, etc.

• If someplace doesn’t feel right , don’t go there . Trust your instincts , they have served you well at home so don’t ignore them in a strange place .