New Zealand Personal Safety

To avoid unwanted attention, try to blend in as much as possible. Familiarize yourself with your surroundings before setting out, and carry yourself with confidence. If you are traveling alone, be sure someone at home knows your itinerary, and never admit that you’re by yourself. When walking at night, stick to busy, well-lit streets and avoid dark alleyways. If you feel uncomfortable, leave the area quickly.

There is no way to avoid all threatening situations you might encounter while traveling, but a self-defense course will give you ways to react to unwanted advances. Impact, Prepare, and Model Mugging can refer you to self-defense courses in the US (☎800-345-5425). Visit the website at www.impactsafety.org for nearby chapters. Workshops (2-3hr.) start at US$50; full courses (20hr.) run US$350-500.

If you are using a car, learn local driving signals and wear a seatbelt. Children under 40 lbs. should ride only in specially designed carseats, available for a small fee from most car rental agencies. Study route maps before you hit the road, and if you plan on spending a lot of time driving, consider bringing spare parts. If your car breaks down, wait for the police to assist you. For long drives in desolate areas, invest in a cellular phone and a roadside assistance program . Park your vehicle in a garage or well-traveled area, and use a steering wheel locking device in larger cities. Sleeping in your car is one of the most dangerous (and often illegal) ways to get your rest. For info on the perils of hitchhiking,

Possessions And Valuables

Never leave your belongings unattended: crime occurs in even the most demure-looking hostel or hotel. Bring your own padlock for hostel lockers, and don’t store valuables in any locker. Be careful on buses and trains; some determined thieves wait for travelers to fall asleep. Carry your backpack in front of you where you can see it. When traveling with others, sleep in shifts. When alone, never stay in an empty train compartment, and use a lock to secure your pack to the luggage rack. Try to sleep on top bunks with your luggage stored above you (if not in bed with you), and keep important documents and other valuables on your person.

There are a few steps you can take to minimize the risk associated with traveling. First, bring as little with you as possible. Second, buy a combination padlock to secure your belongings in your pack, in a hostel, or in a train station locker. Third, carry as little cash as possible. Keep your traveler’s checks and ATM/credit cards in a money belt—not a “fanny pack”—along with your passport and IDs. Fourth, keep a small cash reserve separate from your primary stash. This should be about US$50 stored in your pack, along with your traveler’s check numbers and photocopies.

In large cities con artists often work in groups and may involve children. Beware of certain classics: sob stories that require money, rolls of bills “found” on the street, mustard spilled (or saliva spit) onto your shoulder to distract you while they snatch your bag. Never let your passport and your bags out of your sight. Beware of pickpockets in city crowds, especially on public transportation. Also, be alert in public telephone booths: if you must say your calling card number, do so very quietly; if you punch it in, make sure no one can look over your shoulder.

If you will be traveling with electronic devices, such as a laptop computer or a PDA, check whether your insurance covers loss, theft, or damage when you travel. If not, you might consider purchasing a low-cost separate insurance policy. Safeware (US ☎800-800-1492; www.safeware.com) specializes in covering computers, charging US$90 for 90-day comprehensive travel coverage up to US$4000.