Health & Safety Information

In the event of a life-threatening emergency, please dial 911 or the emergency number of the country you are traveling in. For a list of emergency numbers by country please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/students-abroad/pdfs/911_ABROAD.pdf 

If your need is urgent but not life-threatening, please call YMT’s Emergency Line at 1-888-339-9760. To provide the best possible service for guests needing urgent assistance, please do not call this number for non-urgent matters.  

For general questions, please contact Guest Services Monday-Friday from 5 a.m. – 5 p.m. PST at 1-800-231-1234. 

• If you or a U.S. citizen loved one become seriously ill or injured abroad, Department of State can:
  • Help locate appropriate medical services. 
  • Inform your family or friends, with your permission.
  • Help transfer funds to U.S. citizens overseas. 
• The U.S. government does not pay overseas medical bills. The patient must pay all hospital and other expenses. 
• You can find lists of doctors and hospitals in the country you are visiting. Check the website of the U.S. embassy in the country you are visiting.
• Understand what medical services your health insurance will cover overseas before traveling. Carry your insurance card and a claim form if your policy covers you outside the United States. 
• When traveling abroad, Medicare does not normally cover international medical bills. 
• Check with the foreign embassy of the country you are visiting or passing through. Check to make sure your medications are allowed, particularly prescriptions for medical marijuana. You may need an import license or permit to travel with certain medications. 
• Bring plenty of medicine for your trip. If possible, bring a few extra days’ worth in case of delays. You might not be able to get the same medication abroad. 
• Carry a letter from the doctor. It should describe your medical condition. It should also list any prescription drugs and their generic names. 
• Keep medications in their original, labeled containers. 
• Entering a country with a prescription medication, even if legally obtained in the United States, could be illegal and result in your detention or arrest overseas. 
• If you become ill during the tour, we reserve the right to ask you to leave, depending on your illness’s severity and potential impact on other guests. This policy helps ensure both your recovery and the wellbeing of all tour participants.

• If you feel unsafe at any time, please notify your Tour Director. 
• Check Travel Advisories for the places you are visiting at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/. 
• Do not give money or food to strangers who ask for it, especially in densely populated cities. 
• Always be mindful of crosswalks and curbs as many are not well marked. Take extra precautions when getting on and off transportation.  
• Be extra cautions when crossing the street and follow pedestrian crossing signs and lights.
• Travel in small groups to avoid separation from the main group and/or losing your whereabouts.  
• Be vigilant of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas.

• In general, slips and trips occur due to a loss of traction between the shoe and the walking surface or an inadvertent contact with a fixed or moveable object which may lead to a fall. There are a variety of situations that may cause slips, trips and falls:  
  • Wet or greasy floors 
  • Dry floors with wood dust or powder 
  • Uneven walking surfaces  
  • Polished or freshly waxed floors 
  • Loose flooring, carpeting or mats 
  • Transition from one floor type to another 
  • Missing or uneven floor tiles and bricks 
  • Damaged or irregular steps; no handrails 
  • Sloped walking surfaces 
  • Shoes with wet, muddy, greasy or oily soles 
  • Clutter, wet leaves or pine needles 
  • Electrical cords or cables 
  • Damaged ladder steps 
  • Ramps and gang planks without skid-resistant surfaces 
  • Weather hazards — rain, sleet, ice, snow, hail, frost 
  • Wet leaves or pine needles 
    

• Control Individual Behavior: This condition is the toughest to control. It’s human nature to let our guard down temporarily and be distracted by random thoughts or doing multiple activities. Being in a hurry will result in walking too fast or running, which increases the chances of a slip, trip or fall. Taking shortcuts, not watching where one is going, using a cell phone, carrying materials which obstruct the vision, wearing sunglasses in low-light areas, not using designated walkways and speed are common factors in many injuries. It’s ultimately up to each individual to plan, stay alert and pay attention. 

• Crime such as theft, including passport theft, pickpocketing, bag snatching, burglaries and muggings, are common, particularly in summer. Groups of thieves also operate on public transport, including busy metro lines and trains to/from the airports.
• Take care to protect your belongings on public transport, in crowded tourist areas and at landmarks. Some examples of common targets include (but are not limited to):
  • Airports  
  • Hotel lobbies 
  • Outside of hotels and well-known short-stay accommodations 
  • Restaurants and cafes, especially when sitting on the terrace 
  • Beaches 
• Criminals use children to distract tourists or even play an active role in theft. 
• Violent theft is less common but may also occur on public transport or around major tourist attractions.  
• To protect yourself from theft:
  • Avoid walking in quiet and poorly lit streets, especially at night 
  • Keep luggage and valuables out of sight 
  • Use ATMs in secure locations such as banks and shopping centers 
  • Keep your ATM and credit cards in your sight 
  • Monitor local sources for information about possible safety or security risks 
  • Do not keep wallets, phones, or excess cash in your pockets that may be easily dropped or targeted 
  • Avoid bringing large backpacks or purses that have many pockets 

• Where seatbelts are provided, wear them at all times for safety. If you detect a seatbelt is faulty, please inform your Tour Director and Driver at once. 
• Stay seated while the motor coach is in motion. 
• Avoid talking to the driver while the motor coach is in motion unless it is necessary. 
• Store your carry-on items in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you.  Keep ailes unobstructed. 
• Familiarize yourself with the location of the emergency exits and the fire extinguishers. 

• Know where you are going.  Have your route planned out ahead of time so you can pay more attention to your surroundings. 
• Stay awake and alert at all times. 
• Keep close control over your belongings. 
• Stay away from curbes and edges.  Make sure you are on the sidewalk and away from the curb while waiting for the bus or standing away from the edge of the platform while waiting for a train.   
• Keep your ticket until you exit the system. Inspectors conduct random checks. You’ll get an on-the-spot fine if you don’t have a valid ticket. 
• Maintenance work on public transport is often carried out over the summer months, which requires metro lines to be shut down. 
• Strikes are frequent across Europe. When they occur, expect demonstrations and significant disruptions, which usually affect public transport and other public services. Some result in clashes with police, resulting in the use of tear gas and arrests. Avoid demonstrations and areas with significant police activity. Monitor the media and contact your travel provider for the latest details.  

Depending on your accommodation, the entrance to your room may be accessed from the outside or from an indoor hallway.  All hotels are equipped with necessary safety features.  If you have any concerns, please notify your Tour Director.

When you arrive 

• Check out the spaces within your lodging facilities and the safety features. 
• If you notice any defects or hazards around your accommodation, report it to reception and your Tour Director. 
• Familiarize yourself with the escape routes and locate the fire exit nearest to your room. 
• Read the fire instruction notice displayed in your room. 

Be aware and be safe 

• Take extra care in bright sunlight as it may not be obvious whether the windows or patio door are open or closed. 
• Surfaces such as tiles or marble floors can be very slippery. 
• If you’re self-catering, check how the cooking appliances work and ensure they are switched off when you leave your apartment or go to bed. 
• If smoking is permitted, ensure that all smoking materials are safely extinguished and never smoke in bed. 
• Keep your key by your bed when sleeping. 
• If you smell gas, report it. Black sooty marks or stains, small orange flames or excessive condensation in the room could indicate a faulty gas appliance.  

If a fire occurs 

• Evacuate the room/area immediately – don’t stop to collect personal belongings. Use the nearest escape route. 
• Close any doors behind you. 
• Raise the alarm. 
• Go to the assembly point.  
• If you can’t leave your room, close all doors, put wet towels or clothes under the door seals, call reception and shout for help from the window. 
• Never leave children unsupervised.  

Balconies, corridors and walkways  

• Don’t climb or stand on balcony furniture. Keep all furniture away from the balcony wall/railings. 
• Never lean over, sit, or climb on the walls or railings of any balcony, corridor, or walkway. 
• Don’t leave potential trip hazards on the balcony. 
• Do not pass items to someone on another balcony. 
• Never jump into pools from your balconies. 
• Before closing the door while on the balcony check there is a handle on the outside. 
• Never leave children unsupervised on balconies. 

Security 

• If available, use the safety deposit box for your money, travel documents, passports, jewelry, and other valuables. 
• Lock your door even when you’re inside your room. 
• Don’t leave windows or patio doors open when you leave the room. 
• Exercise caution when opening the door to a visitor and ask them to identify themselves.  
• If you see someone or something that looks suspicious, report it to reception or a member of staff immediately. 
• Follow the advice and instruction of the staff or local authorities. 

Only swim in the sea, tidal waters, rivers, lakes, and other waters (such as hotel pools) where it is permitted to do so, and you know it is suited to your swimming ability. 

• Where possible, never swim alone and always supervise children.  
• Never swim at night, after drinking alcohol, after daily operation hours, or on a full stomach.  
• Find out what to do in an emergency e.g., call the local coastguard. 

Swimming pools and water-based facilities

• Read the pool rules before you swim and remember, most accommodations do not employ lifeguards. 
• Always obey the facility rules and signage. 
• Check the pool layout to know where the deep and shallow ends are, especially before jumping or diving in. Never dive into water less than 9 feet (2.74 meters) deep. 
• Shower before entering the pool. 
• Don’t jump or dive from any raised features or from poolside furniture. 
• Don’t swim if you’re suffering from an upset stomach. Leave 48 hours before entering the pool following a stomach-related illness. 
• In the event of a fecal accident in or around the pool, report it immediately. 

• Terrorism is a threat worldwide. Expect high levels of security nationwide, including at schools, places of worship, shopping centers and landmarks. Attacks can occur at any time. Methods of attack have included knife attacks, shootings, bombings, and vehicle attacks. 
• There’s a risk of terrorist attacks in any destination. Be cautious around locations known to be targets. Attacks could be indiscriminate and could occur anywhere without warning. There have been several attacks in Europe in recent years. 
• Authorities have additional powers to deal with counter-terrorism security. In some public areas, they may:
  • Restrict access  
  • Search your bags and vehicle 
• Expect increased security checks at borders, including ID checks, which may cause delays. 
• To reduce your risks: 
  • Be alert to possible threats, especially in public places 
  • Report anything suspicious to the police 
  • Monitor the news for any new threats 
  • Take official warnings seriously 
  • Follow the instructions of local authorities 
• In the event of an attack, leave the area as soon as it’s safe to do so. 

For more information about traveling safely, please visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html