Safety & Security

Before you leave home !

While most of the time your biggest travel worries are arrival times and lost luggage, there are more serious concerns when traveling, and it is important to prepare for these potential misfortunes.

The first tip is for those who live alone or travel with their families. When going out of town, be it for business or pleasure, ensure the safety of your home and do not draw attention to the fact that no one is in it. Have a neighbor come by and pick up the mail and newspaper.

Install a timer on your sprinklers and/or outdoor lights. In this way, from the outside, your home is business as usual. These types of measures will help prevent break-ins etc. while you’re away.

At the airport !
Airports can be a dream for hackers with so many people working wireless from their laptops while waiting for their plane. These law breakers are setting up “dummy points,” which allow them to access all of the information on the computer of whomever has logged onto their network.

A secure network is a protected network, so look for official signs throughout the terminals; these will list secure addresses and assure you of their safety.

You cannot always avoid disaster or theft, however, so be sure to make copies of any documents that you cannot afford to loose — your passport, business contracts, etc. — and keep them in an entirely different location than the originals.

Tips for dealing with heightened airport security !

We all know that getting through airport security isn’t what it used to be. And while most of us also know enough to pack the Swiss army knife deep into checked luggage or, better yet, leave it at home, there are several other things you can do to pass through security checkpoints with the least amount of stress possible.

Here are some tips on how to get through an airport security check with your sanity intact:
Leave time for the unexpected. It sounds obvious, but be sure to give yourself ample time to not only get to the airport, but also to clear security.

On average, it’s best to give yourself an hour or more for domestic flights and two to three hours for international flights.

Use your real name. When booking your flight, be sure to type in (or give the person taking your reservation) your full legal name. You could face unnecessary scrutiny at security if the name on your boarding pass doesn’t match the name on your driver’s license or passport.

Understand the new restrictions regarding liquids and gels. According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), travelers may now carry through security checkpoints travel-size toiletries (3 ounces or less) that fit comfortably in one quart-size, clear plastic zip-top bag.

In addition, travelers can bring onboard beverages or other items puchased in the secure boarding area. If you have a bottle bigger than 3 ounces, pack it in your checked luggage. (It doesn’t matter if there are only 3 ounces of liquid in the bottle — if the bottle itself is larger than 3 ounces, you will not be allowed to bring it through security.)

Wear shoes you can slip off easily. Now that the removal of footwear when going through security has become commonplace, it’s best to wear shoes or sneakers you can easily slip out of. Have your shoes off and ready to place into an X-ray bin before reaching the checkpoint.

Think ahead about what you’ll wear on the plane. If you’re wearing a few layers of clothing on the upper half of your body, be prepared to remove them. Remove your jacket or sweater ahead of time and have them ready to place into the X-ray bin. You should also remove your belt and watch if you’re wearing them.
Empty your pockets completely.

Place your wallet, spare change, keys, cell phone, and any other items you keep in your pockets inside your carry-on luggage. If you set off the metal detector for any reason, you’ll face the possibility of being frisked on the spot, or pulled aside so they can check not only your socks and pockets but also your bags.

Have your laptop out. Remove your laptop from its carrying case when putting it through security. Also make sure the battery is charged, because the security guards may ask you to turn it on to ensure it is what it appears to be.

It’s also a good idea to label your laptop with your name, phone number, and address.
Avoid flippant humor. Answer all questions posed to you by airport authorities clearly and politely. Avoid making jokes when answering a security agent’s questions, no matter how friendly and casual your interaction with the agent seems to be.

Exercise patience. Be prepared for a random security search, and maintain your cool should you be chosen for one. Comply in a cordial manner with all that’s asked of you and you’ll be on your way in no time at all.
Have your backup numbers handy.

Have all phone numbers you need for your business trip stored on your cell phone should you hit a security-related snag.

In Tanzania !

We do not expect things to go wrong while on safari and nor should you, however it is advissable to take precautions.

To enhance your personal safety will get you First Air Responder membership. Being a wilderness destination medical infrastructure in major centres In Tanzania is remote from many locations visited. Therefore cover for medical evacuation by a Tanzania based scheme is recommended in case of a medical emergency.

First Air Responder offers extremely beneficial service that is available for residents of Tanzania as well as for visitors. This represents a significant advance in the provision of emergency medical support and is designed to enhance the personal safety of both residents and visitors.

First Air Responder(FAR) is fully operational covering all of main Tanzania,Zanzibar and Kenya from operational bases in Dar es Salaam, Arusha,Mwanza and Nairobi. One telephone call to their Operational Response Coordination Centre in Dar es Salaam will mobilize the most effective medical emergency response available in East Africa.

This service is NOT to replace any medical scheme you already have but to act as an IMMEDIATE RESPONSE to medical emergencies in Tanzania. It takes time for international medical cover to get organised or to understand the geographical logistics we face in East Africa and with this in mind Knight Support, in conjunction with Strategis Insurance, has created FIRST AIR RESPONDER to fill the gaps between the scene of an accident and the closest international standard medical facilities.

Once safely in hospital international medical schemes can take over, however FIRST AIR RESPONDER is designed to get you to that hospital in a stable and efficient way while providing immediate first aid and, where appropriate, advanced life support.

In addition FIRST AIR RESPONDER cover includes charges at the admitting hospital for the first 24 hours (subject to limits) and so removes the concern or delay at admission resulting from any need to confirm cover by your medical insurer.

FIRST AIR RESPONDER fills the gap that insurances and even international evacuation companies leave uncovered – by physically having ground teams and equipment available to respond in country, if appropriate to the scene of the accident, by whatever means – road or 4WD ambulance, fixed winged or rotor aircraft or even on foot.

Most international insurances assume that there is a physical mechanism (government or privately operated) in a country that will respond to an accident even if they need to pay for it later. In Tanzania no such organization exists and certainly no international organizations have the ability to effectively mobilize help for travelers to Tanzania with the speed and efficiency of FIRST AIR RESPONDER.

Once in the care of FAR a patient is stabilized and transported by the most swift and efficient means through to the appropriate receiving medical facility and as necessary to the regional centre of medical excellence. Emergency response paramedic teams are on standby 24 hours a day,365 days a year supported by senior incident co-ordinators and full Knight Support/Far infrastructure.
Thank you and safe travel!