Ah, finally, a vacation. You've earned it. Getting away with
the family is a treat that we hardly indulge in anymore. When we do, it's
important to unwind and really get the R&R we need. Believe it or not, legal issues can arise on
vacation, just like they can in the "real world." So, it's important to make sure we take all
the precautions to make vacations safe and risk-free. In order to enjoy a simple getaway and not be
the victim of crime or the subject of a lawsuit, consider taking the following simple
steps.
Before You Hit the
Road:
Before you zip up the American Tourister and head to the airport,
let someone know where you're going. Leave as many details as you can-hotel
name and phone number, the city and country, and who you're travelling with. If
you're leaving the country, photocopy passports and leave them with a family
member. If you're going to be gone for more than a week, have someone stay at
your house. Day-to-day activity in and around your home suddenly coming to a
full stop is a glaring stand-out to burglars.
Cash in hand:
Keep your eyes on
the cash, traveler's checks and credit cards. It seems simple but we get soft
on this one. Never put your wallet in your back pocket. If you're toting a
purse, make sure it's one with a long strap that you can wear across your
shoulder. Here's the big one: NEVER fight a thief. If approached by a thief,
give him the goods. He may be smaller than you, but he may also be carrying a
weapon, and don't forget, he knows the area better than you and could have unkown
and hidden accomplices anywhere in a crowd or nearby hideout.
Traveler's
Insurance:
Unless you're going to grandma's house in the station wagon, any travelling
outside the U.S.
should be done with traveler's insurance. If your luggage is lost, or you have
an accident, your traveler's insurance will cover it. It also covers any costs
for medical care in a foreign country.
Know Your Hotel:
Before you walk
out the front door of your hotel, make sure you have the address written down
or notated in your phone. In small, touristy towns with rustic winding
cobblestone streets, many of the hotels look a lot alike, and if you're on
foot, you can easily lose your way. If you want to be especially cautious, add
the hotel name and number to your phone contacts. It may also be a good idea to
add a local cab company's number to your contacts as well.
Tour Guides, Not
Tour Guys:
When going on a tour with a guide, make sure he or she is working for a
reputable tour guide company. Taking tours from "someone who knows the
island like the back of his hand" could be a dangerous choice that winds
you up in a hairy situation.
Kids Gone Wild:
Even somewhere as
enchanting and innocent as Disney World can become a maze if you're not
attentive. Have a system in place in case someone gets lost. Discuss a landmark
where everyone will return if anyone is missing from the pack. If someone goes
missing and it's serious, you may not be able to rely on the local authorities.
To avoid going through the nightmare of not knowing where one of your children
is, use the Levana Digital Wireless Child Tracker. This device uses digital
signals to locate a child within the range you choose from your receiver. A GPS
tracker is also effective-make sure you get one that's tamper-proof and sounds
an alarm if the wristband is removed.
These
are just a few pointers, but the main idea is to be cautious and stay alert
while you enjoy your visit to far, far away. Leave your troubles at home and
get the rest and enjoyment you deserve, knowing you've taken the proper
precautions to pull your trip off without a hitch!
For more information, please contact one of our attorneys at Wood, Atter & Wolf at 800-354-5743 or via email.
