Better Safe Than Sorry

Advent of the power puff girls

The new generation woman is rubbing shoulders with business stalwarts with quite ease. They have made their way inside the boardroom, and for the better. Most of the organizations around the globe swear by their female workforce, counting upon them as a valuable asset to the company. With women holding key positions in businesses, the number of women business travelers has increased astoundingly to stand at a figure of a whopping 50%.

Woman and business travel

But, at the same time, traveling alone for business can be cumbersome. Particularly so for a woman, because of the guilt trip that she goes on for not being able to attend to kids and family. As if coping up with perpetually delayed flights, checking in and out of the airport, serpentine queues for cabs, and finding a good business hotel were not enough, there is an added emotional void that comes from leaving your loved ones behind.

Safety during travel

Business demands of its employees that they visit remote places around the globe. Places that are unheard of mean that the traveler’s knowledge of it is zilch. Being a lone visitor in a completely different ambience is also fraught with risks. More so for female business travelers. Many find such women vulnerable, which makes it all the important for the woman to take care of safety issues. These concerns often make women wary of traveling for business, which, in turn, might mean bidding adieu to that coveted promotion at office. Lest women have to sacrifice their career for the sake of their own safety, here are some things that can be taken care of to remain safe in a foreign land.

Here are a few safety tips for the power puff girls.

Check the destination of your visit on the net. Find out if any of your acquaintances have visited the pace before. If so, take important tips from them.

For luggage tags, use laminated business cards, so that you can conceal your home address and telephone number from strangers.

On board the airplane, approximately measure the distance between your seat and the emergency exit. This will give you an idea of how far you need to reach in case of an emergency.

Avoid conceding that you are traveling alone. Don’t hesitate to lie.

Bank upon a hotel of repute, because such hotels generally take care of their guests well, and will act responsibly in case of a mishap.

Ask the front desk executive to be careful about mentioning your room number aloud in the presence of other guests. If the executive has already mentioned it aloud, ask for a different room and request the executive not to make the same mistake again.

While entering the hotel room for the first time, check the corners, closets and the bathroom of the room to ensure that it is empty before shutting the door. If possible, take one of the hotel staff members along when you perform the check.

Draw the drapes of your room to avoid strangers from having a view of the room.

Always check if the doors and windows of your room are locked.

Always keep the sliding door locked.

Avoid opening your room door for anybody without checking with the front desk.

Hotel chains with interior room entrances could be a good choice.

When away from room, place ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on your door handle to prevent anybody from entering the room.

Request either the rental car agency or the hotel staff to provide you with an escort to and from the parking lot.

If you are returning late in the night, request the hotel security to accompany you through the hotel passage to your room.

Always carry a small flashlight with you, and keep it by your bedside.

Small inns and hotels allow guests to personally interact with the owner. Choosing such hotels will benefit female travelers in the sense that they can keep the owners informed about their places of visit, and raise an alarm if they don’t return by a specific time.

If walking down a road alone, appear a part of the crowd by walking with a group.

Appear to be married to ward off unnecessary attention. For this carry fake rings of engagement and wedding.

A covered money belt around your waist is the perfect place to keep all your important documents safe. A little cash, traveler’s checks, plane tickets and passport can be safely carried close to your body without anybody knowing about it.

Know about the destination that has to be reached. Get directions well ahead of time, or on the way to the place.

Be careful while asking for directions. Ask for them at public places and crowded ones like a gas station or a café etc.

Keep maps, but do not mark your routes on them. Plan before embarking on a journey.

Be alert and mindful of your surroundings in case you need to make use of them. Keep an eye on cars, doorways, people, stairs etc.

Appear confident without the apprehension of being in a new place showing on your face.

Avoid drawing attention with heavy and expensive jewelry.

Keep important numbers - like police, ambulance, etc. on fast dial in your cell phone.

Keep an object like the Swiss knife in your bag – its better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Have a plan ready in case of any unfortunate incident.

Keep a pepper spray handy to use when needed.

Don’t over react to situations, yet be cautious.

Don’t be scared to raise alarm in unwanted situations.

Remember, traveling safely is possible if you are cautious and alert of your surroundings. Here’s wishing you a safe, successful and fulfilling trip.