Tag Archives: Women Safety Tips

The 8 most purchased must-pack over-the-counter travel medications you should pack. It never fails if you’re going to get sick while away from home, it’ll happen at night when the stores are closed or somewhere when you’re a distance from a town with a drug store, and the worst scenario is it happens in a foreign country where you don’t speak the language. So be prepared to alleviate your symptoms or cure your ills by always packing a few key medications in travel sizes.

Best Tip for Storing Travel Medications

I personally keep them in my toiletry bag and never take them out, so they are always on hand for my next trip. The trick to not packing your whole medicine chest or liquids is to look for travel-sized packages of tablets, as they are light and take up minimal space in your luggage. Make sure you check the expiration date on the individual packages of your travel medications each time you go.

Should You Contact Your Doctor Before Travel?

If you’re going to a more exotic destination, visit a travel clinic first. The clinic doctor can help with vaccines and prescription travel medications. Contact your physician if you need to travel with prescriptions or medical devices. Take photos with your phone or photocopies of your prescription bottles and scripts in case of loss while you’re traveling. Having your exact dose, physician’s name and contact information available can help facilitate getting replacements in another location.

Our Top 8 Picks for Over the Counter Medications Smart Travelers Keep Handy

Anti Diarrheal and Heartburn Medication

Stomach Upsets and gastrointestinal issues are the number one sicknesses travelers fall victim to. Diarrhea is usually caused by contaminated food or water or by bacteria that your system is not used to. Rich foods, strange water, and spices are enough to cause problems for even the heartiest of travelers. Whatever the cause, you want relief as soon as you feel bad. Select tablets or capsules, as these forms won’t leak and make a mess inside your bags. Tablets and capsules are also lightweight, which is another advantage over the liquid form of relief.
Pack: Imodium or Nexium.

2. Pain and Fever Medication

These medicines can help with achy feet, sore muscles, headaches brought on by high altitude or jet lag, and so much more. One of the most typical complaints of travelers is general aches and pain caused by walking. You can easily log a lot more miles walking in urban settings in a day than you do at home. Too much walking can cause achy feet, a sore back, and overusing of muscles. Make sure you select a medication that doesn’t interfere with any other medications you’re taking. If you’re unsure as t which type of pain reliever is best for you a quick call or email to your doctor will clarify your choice.
Pack Advil or Tylenol

3. Over the Counter Motion Sickness Medicine

Feeling motion sickness in a car, bus, train, or cruise ship is absolutely awful. Nausea and dizziness can make the journey unbearable for you and your companions, especially if you’re prone to vomiting during your bouts of motion sickness.
Counter the effects with motion relief medicines Pack: Dramamine or Bonine.

4. Over the Counter Mild Laxative

Here we go with more tummy ailments. Sometimes, when you’re on the go, it is tough “to go.” Different foods, water, and getting used to any time changes can have an unpleasant effect on your digestive system. We recommend looking for products that are tablets or capsules that can’t accidentally spill into your luggage. When looking for a travel laxative, look for a mild formula, one you may have already tried. You don’t want any uncomfortable surprises.
Pack Miralax

5. Over the Counter Antihistamine

Allergies can spring up in a new climate; don’t suffer the misery of a stuffy or runny nose, itchy eyes, or sneezing. Different locations, even just a couple of hours away from home, can be a new micro-climate. A new micro-climate or location can encourage different grasses, flora, and other allergy-triggering plants to create a miserable experience for you. And don’t think that an urban or city location is exempt from triggering allergies.
Pack Claritin or Zyrtec

6. Over the Counter Cough Drops and Suppressant

You’re at an increased risk of getting sick while traveling. Usually, it’s only a cold or related symptoms. Those symptoms can be irritating to you and your companions. Cough suppressants can help soothe your throat so you don’t cough as much, and a suppressant does, well, what the name implies. Pack Halls or Cough Relief Soft Gels

7. Over the Counter Decongestant

One of the worst feelings is a stuffy nose, a runny nose, or a sinus pressure headache, especially when flying when the changes in altitude can cause discomfort and even pain. Look for non-drowsy formulas. Benadryl can cause drowsiness, so be careful when using it. We like to opt for non-drowsy formulas. Pack: Sudafed or Mucinex

8. Over the Counter Sleep Aid

These can come in handy to help overcome jet lag, noisy sleeping conditions, and uncomfortable sleeping conditions while en route. Frequent flyers keep a sleep aid handy in their carry-on for longer overnight flights. Read the packaging so you don’t inadvertently find yourself groggy upon arrival at your destination. You certainly don’t want to drive in a sleepy state. Consider using eyeshades and earplugs to also assist in getting the rest you want.
Pack Unisom or Melatonin

Travel confidently by thinking ahead and having solutions in your bag for any minor inconveniences and symptoms that travel may throw your way. Over-the-counter travel medications can help you feel better, sleep well, and get the most out of your travels.

Bonus Tip:

Keep your small bottles of travel medications (pills or soft gels only) with your toiletry bag. That way, you’ll remember to bring them with you and the comfort they can provide. If you’re a mom of a young child, store and bring any medicines they may need in the same fashion. Lastly, keep other medication information here, too.

Upon Checking In

Request a room that’s not on the ground floor. Security experts agree that staying between the third and sixth floors – where rooms are high enough to avoid easy break-ins and are low enough to be reached by fire engine ladders in the event of an emergency is ideal. Be sure to also make your room location preference known at the time of booking and when confirming the reservation.

Entering and Leaving Your Hotel Room

Don’t keep your room key in the key folder handed to you at the front desk upon check-in. The room key folder typically has your room number written on it. If you accidentally lose or leave your key folder with the key in it, then anyone finding it can access your room. Our advice is to only take the key with you and leave the folder behind in the room.
If you’re going to leave your room and don’t need housekeeping to come in then turn on the TV and hang the do not disturb sign on the outside of your door on your way out. Now you’ve left the impression that someone is in the room who doesn’t want to be disturbed. This decreases the chance that a stranger would try to enter it.
Your mother told you, and she’s right, never open the door to a stranger, especially if they claim to be a member of the hotel staff, and you’re not expecting them. Ask them to wait and call the front desk if they sent someone up and then verify their identity.
To keep hotel staff or anyone with a pass key or code from entering your room while you are in it pack and use a Door Jammer as a secondary lock. The Door Jammer is not only a travel security item but a handy security item for home, office, and dorms too.

Door Jammer portable door lock for resort safety

The Door Jammer works by transferring the force of the door swinging open to the floor and preventing it from being opened

The Portable Door Lock is also a great option. It works on inward swinging doors like those of a hotel.

Addalock portable door lock safety at resorts

A portable door lock is also a great option. It works on inward swinging doors like those of a hotel.

5. Read the evacuation plan and make sure everyone in your room knows it and knows where you all would meet up in the event of an emergency.

Internet Security

Once you’ve entered your room, you might feel a bit safer than in the lobby or a public place in the resort or hotel. That sense of safety translates to internet safety too. Yet your internet may not be any more secure than in an airport or coffee shop. In reality, you’re still using a public Wi-Fi hotspot. When connecting to the hotel Wi-Fi tell your computer that you’re connecting to a public network. The objective is to set your computer firewall to its maximum. Your best option is to use a wired internet connection instead of Wi-Fi. Never access banking or other personal websites from a public network.

Valuables in Your Hotel Room

Protect your valuables by using the hotel safe. Increase the security of the hotel safe by using a separate and additional safe lock with it.

Milockie Hotel Safe Lock for Resorts and Hotels

This external lock gets placed onto your hotel room safe to help stop people with passcodes or passkeys from opening it

Two reasons for the additional lock:

A little-known fact, but many hotels do not accept liability for items left in a guest room safe, the an additional external lock increases the security of the safe.
The mere presence of an additional lock should deter a thief from attempting a break-in of your safe and to move on to a room safe without an additional layer of security in place.

Final Thought on Resort and Hotel Safety Advice

Follow these six tips to enhance your safety and peace of mind while on vacation. make sure to share this advice with those you’re traveling with too.

Articles You May Like

Travel Essentials – How to Pack Peace of Mind

It’s exhilarating to see new places and experience new cultures. While you’re focused on enjoying the people, food, sights, and even ordinary street life be sure to always be aware of your surroundings. Being aware means making a mental picture of the street names, if you’re exploring the city. Being aware on public transportation means not keeping your gaze on your phone, but looking at the other riders and keeping your bag in front of you to discourage pickpockets. And perhaps the best advice is to make sure you have a confident and strong demeanor. One way to boost your personal confidence is to take steps to protect yourself even before you pack your bag.

Security and Safety on the Go

A few small gadgets can help keep you safe and give you peace of mind.

Location: Hotel, hostel, dorm
You don’t know who has a passkey to the room, or if the key is an old style metal key, who has a copy of it. Would you want an uninvited visitor to come into the room while showering or sleeping? You can have peace of mind that the door will remain locked while you’re inside by traveling with a device that prevents your door from opening even with a key. It’s low cost too.

Location: Walking alone, or anywhere you may need to call attention to your situation
As the saying goes an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And so it is with your safety. A personal safety alarm is useful in many situations if you have a medical emergency and can’t scream if you want to just scare off someone before they get too close or is making you uncomfortable, or if you need to draw attention to your situation. Another option is an alarm app for your phone.

Location: Crowds, public places
The security of your identity is as important as your personal safety. Your personal information is stored on tiny chips embedded in credit cards, passports and even ID card such as drivers licenses. You need to shield your cards and passport from e-thieves who with the help of a hand-held device can read your information stored on the chips as they stand next to you or walk past you in a crowd. The scanners can work up to a distance of 10 feet away! The solution is carrying your cards and passport in RFID shielding, sleeves, wallets or bags.

Some Bonus Tips

Whether you’re packing, going out for a day of sightseeing, or going out at night, you will want to keep it light. Our advice, plan ahead on what you will carry in your bag and on your person. A few moments of planning before you go are worth it, take it from a woman who has over packed. Your top two concerns should be function and security. We have a few finds or must have travel essentials that help you keep your valuables secure and your hand free.

Packing Light – Packing Strategies

Seasoned travelers advise they maximize the space in their bags with packing organizers. There are different styles for different needs. Our favorite type of packers are Compression Packers to reduce wrinkling in your bag to maximize space with their compression technology. Waterproof styles help separate dirty and sweaty clothes from clean and keep toiletries in your checked bag from leaking.

Select Clothes Which Layer and Mix and Match – Wear layers, short-sleeved shirts can go under long sleeve ones. A long scarf is decorative and can double as an evening wrap. Jeans or khakis go from day to night with the change of an athletic to a dress shoe or sandal.
Choose Knits, Wool, and Cotton Blends – These fabrics tend to resist wrinkles and are versatile and stick to a few colors which mix and match.
Roll Softer Garments and Fold Stiffer Ones – Underwear, T-shirts, jeans, cotton pants, and knitwear won’t wrinkle when rolled tightly. Stiffer fabrics, such as starched cotton shirts, blazers, dressy pants, and skirts, should be carefully folded.
Place Rolled Items in the Bottom of the Bag – Think of your suitcase as a three-layer cake. The suitcase is the icing; the rolled items make up the first layer.
Place Folded Garments Next – For your middle layer, start with the longest items, like skirts and slacks. Stack the garments on top of each other, alternating waists with hems. Position the pile flush with the suitcase, draping leftover fabric over the opposite end. (This conserves space since thick waistbands won’t be piled on top of one another.) Wrap the draping ends of the pile into the center. Next, lay collars of shorter items, like shirts, at the hinge with the ends over the handles. Fold the collars and ends over once and fold the arms in.
Cover the Pile with a Dry-Cleaning Bag – Because of the bag’s slippery surface; folded clothes don’t stay in one place long enough for creases to set. Easy upgrade: Place a bag between each layer of clothing. To get to a certain layer easily, simply pull the ends of the bag up on either side.
Wash Your Clothes on the Road – Vacation rentals often have laundry facilities, however, if you’re staying in a hotel, or taking a cruise wash clothes in a sink and hang them to dry, a blow dryer or iron can help get rid of any lingering dampness. Pack laundry soap sheets and a portable laundry-drying line. Carry a stain stick in your bag to remove stains right when they happen.

Sight-Seeing Essentials

Keep your hands free to snap photos or to read guidebooks. Sure you’ll look like a tourist, but then again you are a tourist. Local thieves who prey on tourists know that the best time to zip open your backpack or bag is when you’re distracted. The distraction can be real or staged by one of their accomplices, either way, your focus is momentarily not on your gear, and that is when they strike.

Guard against being a victim by selecting an anti-theft bag and wearing it cross-body style. If you must travel with a bag that is not anti-theft, then use a body pouch to protect your valuables such as your passport, money and credit cards.

These safety tips for women are for dangerous situations that could potentially be life-threatening. It’s rare to find women’s self-defense tips for real-life, dangerous situations. We spoke with a female police officer about the things she’s learned on the job to help keep women safe. From years of reviewing hundreds and hundreds of criminal cases, these are the precautions she recommends women can take to reduce the risk of becoming a victim.

Safety Tips for Women

1. NEVER get into an attacker’s car if he pulls a gun and orders you to get into his vehicle. Most attackers don’t want to shoot you: they want you to get into the car so that they can drive you to a deserted place and do God-knows-what-else. Do not comply, and instead run away screaming. It is MUCH more likely than not that he will just move on to an easier target.

2. While driving, NEVER pull over if someone driving alongside you points at your car pretending something is wrong. If this happens, drive to the nearest well-lit and populated gas station and look the car over yourself (or ask an attendant). Believe it or not, many women have fallen for this for fear of their car spontaneously exploding in the middle of the road. Not likely.

3. ALWAYS lock your car doors while driving. I have read several cases where an attacker simply walks up to a woman’s car while she’s at a traffic light and jumps in with his gun or knife drawn. If you use Lyft, Uber or other rideshare arrangements the safety rules are quite different.

4. When having your car serviced, only give the attendant your car keys and detach the keys to your home. They have key duplicators readily available and generally, have your address on file.

5. STAY ALERT in parking lots. If you go to the grocery store at night, don’t be shy about asking for an escort to your car. Too many women are abducted from or even raped in parking lots. Be aware of your surroundings by looking to the left and right and behind you with your head up all the time. You may appear paranoid and look funny to others, but an attacker will think twice about approaching someone who appears so aware of what’s going on. Cars provide endless hiding places for attackers, both inside them and in between them. In addition, always look in your back seat before entering your car.

6. Just because a stranger may look innocent and clean-cut, doesn’t mean you should trust them. In my work, I see mug shots of attackers and sex offenders and – trust me – they do not look like monsters. They often look like they could be your friendly neighborhood guy. They are every age between 15 and 90, and probably beyond. Only a small minority actually look scary. I just read a case yesterday of a man with only one leg who beat up his victim with his crutch before he raped her. Who would have ever thought that a one-legged man would be a rapist?

7. Child molesters often end up being the last person parents would suspect of wrongdoing. In most child molestation cases I see, the perpetrator is someone close to home: the stepfather, uncle, sister’s or mother’s boyfriend, grandfather, babysitter, neighbor, a family friend, youth camp director, or daycare worker, etc. Although rare, even women can be molesters. In every case, the perpetrator seems to be a “nice guy:” trusting and good with children, without signs of suspicion. Families are often baffled or in disbelief that the person could be abusing their child. When it comes to your children and grandchildren, be suspicious of everyone, no matter who they are. And pay attention to what your child says and how he/she reacts to the mention of different people in their lives.

8. NEVER open your front door without positively identifying who is there. If you don’t have a peephole, get one. I’ve seen countless cases where attackers gain access to victims simply by knocking on their doors. Don’t let an attacker get into your home. He then has a private, relatively soundproof place to attack you. Prevent strangers from entering your home. Consider adding an extra layer of protection with a Portable Door Lock. A portable door lock should also be one of the first things a woman packs for travel. Keep an extra one in your travel bag or in your cosmetic bag so you don’t forget to pack it.

Share these safety tips for women with the women in your life, because it’s best to be as prepared as possible.

Leave These Fashions for Home, Not Europe

Leave clothes that scream tourist at home because they call attention to you, which can be unflattering and even dangerous in Europe. Tourists are typically the target of pickpockets, thieves, and scam artists, so why broadcast that you could be a potential victim. It’s better to blend in more with the locals, even if you still look like a tourist at least look like a smart and savvy one and one that is respectful of the norms of your destination. While you may be thinking comfort while packing steer clear of items such as:

pajama bottoms,
T-shirts with big logos,
message T’s,
team logos,
baseball caps
white socks with tennis shoes
work out gear

A fashion trend here at home is wearing athletic or workout gear all day even if you’re not working out. That’s a fashion don’t in Europe and shouts, I’m an American tourist! Another detriment of looking too touristy is that locals may provide inferior service or be less friendly.

What Should You Pack for Europe?

Pack clothes that all mix and match so you can layer. Here are some on what to pack for Europe.

1. Women, choose 3/4 length pants or jersey knit clothes that are designed to go together. Select pants, a skirt, and top in this same easy care fabric. They pack small, are wrinkle resistant and look great with a scarf, and either a casual or more tailored jacket. Pick a solid color or two that complement each other. These are comfortable, easy-care, and pack wrinkle free.

2. A light-weight denim or cotton shirt that you can wear by its self or open over a T-shirt or tank or extra warmth.

3. Next, pack a scarf that you wear over bare shoulders in a church, or to jazz up your outfit. Around your neck it pulls an outfit together, and open around your shoulders it offers a little warmth. Some scarves like this infinity scarf have a hidden zippered pocket secure valuables. Select a couple of patterns to change out your look.4. Pack comfortable walking shoes. Brands like Cole-Hann, Merell, and Clarks are excellent choices. And speaking of footwear, soft durable socks are a must! No-show socks are currently popular. Leave the flip flops for pool or resort destinations.

5. Pack a light-weight rain jacket with a hood. This way you don’t need an umbrella.6. Take a small anti-theft crossbody handbag you can use during the day or night, and pack a small anti-theft daypack. It should be able to hold your rain jacket, a water bottle, a tube of sunscreen, have room for a sandwich, and if you carry a camera that too. Select an antitheft daypack that has locking zippers to keep your valuables secure and pickpockets out. This item can double as your personal carry-on item on the plane.7. Use the lightest weight piece of luggage that you can. In many older charming hotels, you’ll have to carry your bag up a couple of flights to your room. Elevators, if you’re lucky enough to have one, in older properties, are typically small and maneuvering a heavy bag in and out of them is difficult.

Accessories for Europe

A plug adaptor, learn what you’ll need (converter vs adaptor). It’s less than what you used to pack. Most laptops, phones, and electronics have built-in voltage converters that protect the device. If you’re not sure contact the manufacturer to confirm, it’s worth the extra effort.

2. Appliances such as curling irons and blow dryers could be more difficult, the best alternative is to pack a dual voltage device. Even with a dual voltage device, you may experience a problem due to older wiring, etc. Our advice is to email your hotel in advance to see if they have a hair dryer and use that one.

3. Secure your passport and other small documents with a hidden money belt. As an alternative check out pickpocket proof clothing that has hidden pockets for valuables.

4. Take laundry soap sheets or travel laundry detergent packets and wash your clothes during your trip. If they don’t dry overnight, use the hair dryer to finish the job.

Sexual Assaults on Airlines are on the Rise

Being sexually assaulted in-flight on an airplane is the last thing any traveler would think about. Yet sexual assaults in flight is a crime on the rise. The reporting of sexual assault in the sky has seen an increase in reporting over the last several years. The FBI has recently reported that sexual assaults on airlines have increased by 45% in 2016, over the prior year. Many of these sexual assaults on airlines have occurred on international flights which have caused some air carriers to take action.

Women are the majority of victims in these unique, in-flight crimes. However, children and young teens traveling alone, both girls and boys, have also been targets. Airlines are responding in various ways from training flight personnel to implementing special seating options for women. In January 2017, Air India rolled out “female-only” seating rows on certain flights.

Detective Kevin Coffey was recently interviewed on this subject in BottomLine Personal Magazine. The article “Sexual Assault On Airplanes Is On The Rise” the full Bottomline online article is here. Detective Coffey provides a series of tips and advice that women travelers, as well as parents sending children on flights alone, should read before their next flight.

Several major news publications have been alerting the public about these types of crimes. In October 2016, the New York Times wrote about the subject in their article “Recent Incidents Put a New Focus on Sexual Assaults on Airplanes“. Here’s another link to an article in the Huffington Post “Here’s How Airlines Really Handle Sexual Assault.” The media continues to cover the crime of sexual assaults on airplanes to heighten awareness of the crime and major airlines are now providing training to flight attendants on how to handle in-flight assaults.

Here’s What You Can Do to Stop In-Flight Assaults

Book an aisle seat if possible. You’re more visible to flight attendants and fellow passengers on the aisle, making it more difficult for a sexual predator to target you without being seen.

React loudly if you are groped. This typically stops the predator by attracting the attention of nearby passengers. Be sure to something like, “stop, touching me is not OK” that is better than just a scream and puts the predator on the defense.

As a passenger, you are in a controlled environment and you can influence what happens around you. No matter how friendly the passenger next to you is be mindful about what you share of your personal life. A detail such as a recent break-up or that you’re on a solo trip is information that someone may interpret as an invitation to be “friendly.” It’s best not to engage in too much personal talk.

If you want to politely end a conversation with someone sitting next to you say you’re tired and close your eyes and then when you “wake-up” catch up on work or reading by taking out a laptop or book. It’s OK to change your normal behavior to avoid any type of sexual assault while on an airline.

You could also put in earbuds which signal you are not interested in talking. Do this even if you’re not listening to anything. It signals you’re not available to talk. Noise-canceling headphones have the same effect plus offer the benefit of reducing the ambient noise in the aircraft cabin.

Be Verbally Forceful to Thwart Advances

Many women are hesitant to verbalize a request to stop unwanted behavior. You should practice saying a couple of statements as suggested to become confident and comfortable saying them.

Ask the person to stop the intrusive behavior: “ I don’t like being touched, please take your hand off of my arm/leg.” If the unwanted behavior persists escalate the force of your request to a statement as, “ I really have to insist you stop touching my arm/leg.”

If the unwanted behavior still persists then calmly call for a flight attendant to intervene. Don’t be shy or embarrassed to stand up for yourself, remember you’ve given the person who is making you uncomfortable 2 chances to change his behavior with a couple of warnings, there is no need to be uncomfortable.

Another option is to repeat your command to stop touching you loudly so that others around you will hear and look at you. At this point, it is good to say “I just told you to keep your hands to yourself, stop touching me.” At this point, you can ask for a flight attendant or another passenger will have already called one. In most cases like this, the flight attendant will try to separate you so that you’re not sitting in the same row.