Last week, the United States government issued several warnings due to the Hamas-Israel war, many involving traveling abroad. If you have a trip planned and are getting ready to hop on a plane soon, there are some safety precautions you should take to keep yourself safe while traversing the world.
Take note of the following steps recommended by the U.S. State Department to fly safely right now during war times.
RELATED: FBI Releases 3 Tips to Protect Yourself as Violent Extremist Threats Increase
1 | Stay “Alert” in Touristy Locations
ShutterstockOn Thursday, the State Department issued a warning to all travelers. “Due to increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution. The first that U.S. citizens should do is “stay alert in locations frequented by tourists,” they warn.
2 | Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
ImYanis / ShutterstockThe State Department also suggests enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) “to receive information and alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency overseas,” they say.
3 | Follow the State Department on Social Media
ShutterstockIn the same statement, they recommended following the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter. Prior to getting on a plane you should make sure your final destination isn’t rated a Level 4 in the U.S. State Department issues travel advisory list.
4 | Keep Your Travel Documents and ID Closeby
Jsnow my wolrd / ShutterstockMake sure you have all the travel documents and identification needed for your trip–and make copies just in case. You don’t want to end up in a situation where you can’t prove your identity or citizenship.
5 | Reconsider European Vacations
Catarina Belova/ShutterstockTodd Brown, a retired senior State Department official who worked in diplomatic security for more than 30 years, told CNN on Thursday that the threat of escalation “isn’t just confined to the Middle East” and could also spread to Europe as anger over the Israeli government’s actions towards Gaza grows. “I do think that people should give some thought to their trips and not blindly think, ‘Oh, everything’s okay,’ or ‘I’m going into a European capital,” he told CNN, adding that he told his daughter to reschedule a trip she had planned.
6 | Don’t Overshare Personal Information
iStockThe FBI also released three tips on how citizens can protect themselves. “It is important for people to protect themselves both online and in-person, and to report any suspicious activity they encounter,” the Bureau writes. This includes refraining from oversharing personal information, whether you are on a plane or walking around a city.
7 | Say Something if You See Something
Ground Picture / ShutterstockKeep your eyes peeled for suspicious behavior, and say something if you see something. “The insular nature of today’s violent extremists makes them difficult for law enforcement to identify and disrupt before an attack. Many times, a person’s family or friends may be the first to notice a concerning change in behavior that may indicate a person is mobilizing to violence,” the FBI writes.
