In Case of Emergency

AN EMERGENCY CAN BE A nasty interruption to your trip. Keeping a cool head is the only way to navigate through a crisis, and that takes preparation.

Always keep copies of important travel documents in case something unfortunate happens, and make sure that a trusted person at home also has copies of your documents on hand.

• Passport

• Full itinerary, with contact details and addresses

• Travel and health insurance papers

• Travelling tickets (plane, train, boat, etc.)

• Names of doctors and lawyers

GETTING HELP

If you are away from home and in need of assistance in the event of an emergency, contact your country’s embassy or consulate. The contact information is available on your government website. Your hotel concierge might also be able to look up this information for you. Contact your embassy or consulate if any of the following situations should arise:

• Hijacking, hostage-taking, kidnapping

• Large-scale emergency

• Death of a travel companion

• Arrest and detention

• Missing persons

• Child welfare, abduction or custody issues

• Sexual assault

• Forced marriage

• Physical assault

• Serious sickness or injury

• Urgent need of financial assistance

• Stolen passport

• Lost or stolen belongings

LOST PASSPORT

Losing a passport when travelling abroad can be a real hassle. Before your trip, check into the process of replacing a passport so that you will know what to expect.

In a perfect world, you will have a photocopy of your missing passport showing your picture, name, passport number, date of issue and date of expiry. Some people have told me that they carry a digital copy of their passport on their smartphone or computer, but I’ve spoken with several security experts who advise against it. This puts you at greater risk if your mobile device gets into the wrong hands.

DAILY INCONVENIENCES

Not all emergencies are a matter of life and death. Sometimes, they’re a case of a suit jacket losing a button on the eve of an important client meeting, or a coffee stain on a dress in the middle of a formal lunch party. Being equipped to handle these kinds of trials gracefully and efficiently will allow you to enjoy your trip without added stress.

HOW TO SEW ON A BUTTON

	Step #1 Pick a thread to match the button or fabric and cut off about 18-20 inches. Thread the needle and knot the two ends together to have a double strand of thread.
	Step #2 Mark the position of button with two straight pins on the right side of the fabric. If the shirt is silk, silk pins must be used.
	Step #3 Turn the fabric over to the wrong side and insert the needle in a corner close to the intersecting point of the two pins.
	Step #4 Turn the fabric so the right side is facing up. Lay the button in position on top of the pins. Pull the needle up through the fabric and one hole of the button.
	Step #5 Bring the needle down through another button hole and fabric. Make three or four more stitches to secure this pair of holes.
	Step #6 Repeat the process with the second pair of holes.
	Step #7 Remove the pins.
	Step #8 To make the shank, pull the needle out between the button and fabric. Lift the button so the threads are taut.
	Step #9 Wind the thread tightly several times to make the shank so the button stands up on its own.
	Step #10 Pull the needle down through the fabric to the wrong side of the fabric.
	Step #11 Make a partial short stitch under the button stitches and pull the thread through the loop to make a knot.
	Step #12 Cut the thread as close to the knot as possible.
	NOTE: Sewing a two-hole flat button basically follows the same process. However, the two-hole button requires extra attention in sewing it in place. Make sure the holes are sewn in place so they rest in the same direction as the buttonhole.

HOW TO REMOVE A STAIN

If you have room in your luggage, consider packing a compact stain-removal kit. A stain remover pen is a handy quick fix, but, depending on the type of stain, you may need other materials as well. I always travel with a stain remover pen and wipes, a white cotton towel or napkin, pH-neutral dish soap in a small travel-sized bottle, cotton swabs and a plastic knife.

Before using any product on a garment, always test the treatment in an inconspicuous spot to check the fabric for colourfastness, and use the least aggressive method first. And of course, treat a stain as quickly as possible to get the best results.

The following steps work well for most stains, including coffee, salad dressing, butter, gravy, chocolate, lipstick or makeup. Be aware that these are just first-aid treatments that apply to washable garments. If the stain persists, you may need to send the garment to the dry cleaner’s once you get home.

1. Place an absorbent white cloth or towel under the stain to prevent it from transferring to other parts of the garment.

2. Blot up the excess, or use the plastic knife or the edge of a credit card (any dull-edged object will do) to remove it.

3. Flush the stained area (back side facing up) with cold water.

4. Working from the outside of the stain inward, gently rub the back of the stain with a drop of pH-neutral dish soap, using your fingertips to loosen it.

5. Rinse thoroughly.

6. If the stain outline is visible, use a cotton swab dampened with rubbing alcohol to dab the stain outline.

7. If the stain persists, treat with a stain remover pen or wipe.

STAYING HEALTHY

Sadly, we have a running joke in our family that I have seen a doctor in every country to which I have travelled. I’ve had a procedure for an ingrown fingernail in Shanghai, received medical attention for an ear infection in St. Maarten, for food poisoning in Rio de Janeiro, and for pneumonia in Johannesburg! As distressing as it was to be sick and away from home, I’ve been very fortunate to have stayed in good hotels with a doctor on call who would come to the hotel for a fee (usually cash).

Before you go on any trip:

• Make sure you have proper health insurance coverage, especially if you are prone to illness when you’re away.

• Make sure you have the contact number for the insurance company.

• If you have even the slightest concerns about your health prior to your trip, see your doctor first to get any medications or prescriptions before you leave.

Here are some tips that will help you from getting sick while you’re away:

• Check with your doctor or travel clinic for required vaccinations and any other health concerns that pertain to your destination.

• Drink bottled water and stay hydrated.

• Be careful what you eat. Stay away from potential food poisoning hazards (see this page).

• Wash your hands regularly (see below) to fend off germs.

• Get plenty of rest. If you’re jet-lagged and tired, you have a greater chance of getting sick.

HOW TO WASH YOUR HANDS

Wash your hands whenever possible. Your mother probably said this all the time when you were small, and she was right. Note that to do it properly takes at least 15 seconds.

Wet your hands and wrists with warm running water.

Use one or two squirts of liquid soap.

Vigorously rub your hands together to make a soapy lather.

Scrub in between and around fingers.

Scrub the back of each hand with the palm of other hand.

Scrub fingertips of each hand in opposite palm.

Scrub each thumb clasped in opposite hand.

Scrub each wrist clasped in opposite hand.

Rinse your hands well under warm running water.

Pat your hands dry with a clean dry towel or paper towel.

Turn off the water using the same paper towel. This is to avoid cross-contamination from the faucet to your clean hands.

HAND SANITIZER

While never a substitute for proper hand washing with soap and water, hand sanitizers or wipes will work in a pinch when you’re out and about. When I’m on the plane, I’ve even used hand sanitizer on a tissue to wipe down the table, armrests and other surfaces that don’t feel clean.

FOOD POISONING AND HOW TO AVOID IT

Contaminated food and drinks cause food-borne illnesses. As tempting as it might be to sample the local specialties served by street vendors and at food markets, you need to be wise.

• Local drinking water is a huge source of illness for travellers. The water may be fine for locals, but the different bacteria and parasites in the local water supply may make visitors sick. Stick to bottled water, even when you’re brushing your teeth. And avoid ice cubes, ices and any drinks prepared with local water.

• In locations where water quality is questionable, stay clear of raw fruits and vegetables washed in the contaminated water. Eat only fruits that have peels.

• New and different foods may not always agree with you. Start off by eating smaller portions and eat in moderation.

• Dining in reputable food establishments will be your safest bet. If you can’t fight the urge to check out the street food, ask your concierge for advice, or pick the most popular vendor. Before you place your order, assess the food-handling and hygiene practices. Better safe than sorry!

• Make sure the hot foods you eat are hot and fully cooked. Avoid foods that have been sitting out at room temperature, warmed up or reheated. This includes table condiments.

FIRST-AID KIT

Be prepared for the unexpected by packing a first-aid kit. It isn’t always easy to find a drugstore when you need one, and if language is a barrier it can sometimes be difficult to find the supplies you need.

Here is a list of items that will be useful in dealing with minor ailments.

ESSENTIAL ITEMS

Pain and fever medication

Nausea and motion sickness medication

Cold and flu medication

Antihistamines

Antibiotic ointment

Hydrocortisone cream

Antiseptic wipes

Bandages

Blister pads

OPTIONAL ITEMS

Saline eye drops

Insect repellent

Sunscreen

Aloe gel for sunburns