Whether its Kenya or Kentucky, here are some basic safety & security guidelines to be aware of. Here are ten security tips to consider and share with your team members:
- Check official State Department Travel Advisories, and stay up-to-date with local news, particularly during your trip.
- Never venture out alone, and make sure others know where you are going and when you plan to be back.
- Immediately report anything suspicious to your team leader, and be quick to let other team members know if they are endangering themselves or others.
- Know a local number you can call for help and have team members memorize the phone number in case they become lost or separated.
- Avoid demonstrations or events that can quickly turn ugly like parades, political rallies, and large sporting event celebrations.
- Make copies of your passport and other travel documents. Leave one copy at home, and take one copy with you. Consider emailing yourself a photo or scanned copy and leaving it “in the cloud.”
- Do not accept rides from strangers or unlicensed taxis and avoid un-crowded subway cars or buses.
- Avoid routines that make you a predictable target.
- Don’t discuss your travel plans, where you’re staying, or team schedules and activities with strangers, no matter how nice they seem.
- Pedestrians do not always have the right-of-way. Be careful, walk facing traffic if possible, and remember that train tracks in the middle of the street are not good places to walk or stand!
Above all, pray that God would lead and protect your steps and the steps of you team. Blessings!
