United States: General Safety Tips

GENERAL SAFETY TIPS Prearrange transportation for your arrival. If you have none, find the transportation booth in the airport, or, if possible, befriend someone on your flight with whom you might share a cab. If you are being dropped off in an unlit area, ask your driver to wait until you are safely inside. Women should avoid traveling at night. Find out from your hotel staff where it is safe to go alone and what areas merit avoiding. If you plan on meeting with a stranger, do it in a busy place outside of your hotel. If you encounter someone gesturing or honking for you to stop, do not stop until you have found a busy public place with plenty of lighting before determining the problem. Women are free to dine alone in the U.S.; however, choose the restaurant or area with care. Jogging is not recommended in unfamiliar territory. Top-end or expensive hotels often have fitness facilities. If you find yourself on a crowded bus, subway, or train with a male pressing up against you in an obviously sexual way or with other harassment, shout out loudly for him to stop. Public shame or humiliation will often keep further advances at bay and will get the attention of others who may offer assistance. Try and look for other women to sit near on public transport. If you feel uncomfortable in any situation, get out of it. Women should use caution when leaving a building late at night and entering a deserted area or parking lot. Watch your surroundings carefully, look under the car and in it before approaching it, and avoid any contact with strangers, even if they ask for assistance. Devious ploys to distract a woman from safely entering her car exist and have sometimes ended in rape or worse. Many women carry mace or another deterrent should they encounter any trouble. Self-defense courses have also helped many in need.