USA General Advice

In any type of crisis situation, the most important thing to do is stay calm. Your country’s embassy abroad is usually your best resource when things go wrong; registering with that embassy upon arrival in the country is often a good idea. The government offices listed in the Travel Advisories box can provide information on the services they offer their citizens in case of emergencies abroad.

Driving

If you are using a car, learn local driving signals and wear a seatbelt. You must obey all posted signs, including speed limit signs. If a police car sounds its siren behind you, slow down and pull over as soon as it is safe to do so. If an emergency vehicle approaches from either direction with its sirens on, slow down and pull over to the side of the road until the vehicle has passed and is several hundred feet away. The only exception to this law occurs if an emergency vehicle is approaching from the opposite direction on a divided highway; in this case, motorists on the side opposite the emergency vehicle need not pull over. Most localities require you to stop when school buses are picking up or dropping off passengers except, as above, when they are on the opposite side of a divided highway.

Local police are often a good resource for help. If your car breaks down or you find yourself stranded, call or wait for local or state highway police to arrive.

Drugs And Alcohol

In the US, the drinking age is 21, and drinking restrictions are particularly strict. Younger travelers should expect to be asked to show government-issued identification when purchasing any alcoholic beverage. Drinking and driving is prohibited everywhere and is widely considered to be extremely dangerous. Open alcoholic beverage containers in your car will incur heavy fines; a failed sobriety test will mean fines, a suspended license, imprisonment, or all three. Most localities restrict where and when alcohol can be sold. Sales usually stop at a certain time at night and are often prohibited entirely on Sundays. Narcotics like marijuana, heroin, and cocaine are highly illegal in the US. If you carry prescription drugs while you travel, keep a copy of the prescription with you, especially at border crossings.

Specific Concerns

Natural Disasters

Earthquakes. Earthquakes occur frequently in certain parts of the US, particularly California, but most are too small to be felt. If a strong earthquake does occur, it will last at most 1-2 minutes. Open a door to provide an escape route and protect yourself by moving underneath a sturdy doorway, table, or desk. If you are outside, move to an open area free from buildings, trees, and power lines.

Tornadoes And Hurricanes. Tornadoes have been reported in every US state, though they are most common in the Great Plains during the spring and summer. If you are inside during a tornado, move to a basement or interior location away from windows. If you are outside, lie flat on the ground in a low place away from power lines. Hurricanes are most common on the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts. Often, these areas are evacuated in anticipation of particularly severe hurricanes. If you are not advised to evacuate, stay inside, away from windows.

Landslides/Mudslides. Heavy rain, flooding, or snow runoff combined with hilly terrain can lead to landslides or mudslides, particularly on slopes where vegetation has been removed. This will most likely not be a concern in cities; however, if you are hiking after a heavy rainfall, be aware of the possibility of a slide. If you are caught in a mudslide or landslide, try to get out of its path and run to high ground or shelter. If escape is not possible, curl into a ball and protect your head.

Forest Fires. Dry spells are common in the western US. In 2003, forest fires ravaged much of the eastern Cascades, as well as parts of California and Oregon. If you are hiking or camping and smell smoke, see flames, or hear fire, leave the area immediately. To prevent forest fires, always make sure campfires are completely extinguished; during high levels of fire danger, campfires will most likely be prohibited. Before you go hiking or camping, be sure to check with local authorities for the level of fire danger in the area.

Terrorism

In light of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, there is an elevated risk of further terrorist activities in the US. The threat of an attack is generally not specific or great enough to warrant avoiding certain places or modes of transportation. After the September 11 attacks, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was created to protect the US from further terrorist threats. Local and national news media often report changes in threat status, and travelers should be alert to these changes. The box on travel advisories (see below) lists offices to contact and webpages to visit to get the most updated list of your home country’s government’s advisories about travel.