U.S. State Department Issues Holiday Travel Warning

 TRAVEL ALERT

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The State Department is warning Americans traveling abroad to be extra cautious over the holidays.

 In a worldwide travel alert issued Friday, the department says an attack this week in Australia highlights the need to be vigilant. The alert says U.S. citizens traveling abroad should be mindful that terrorist groups, or those inspired by them, can pose unpredictable threats in public venues.

 The alert says an analysis of past attacks and threat reporting strongly suggests that terrorists are focused on hotels, shopping areas, places of worship and schools.

  A gunman in Sydney took 17 people hostage at a café on Monday. The siege ended 16 hours later in a barrage of gunfire that left two hostages and the Iranian-born gunman dead.

 The travel alert lasts into March.

Important Message from the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam!

Safety at Home, on Foot, in a Car

August 29, 2012

Due to the recent home invasions on a Msasani Peninsula expatriate compound in Dar es Salaam, the U.S. Embassy would like to remind you that crime in Tanzania affects everyone, whether an expatriate, visitor, or Tanzanian. Criminal activity can take place anywhere during the day or the night. We recommend taking the following measures to improve your personal security.

Below are some security reminders for residences, vehicles, and pedestrians.

Residential Security:

• Lock all doors and security grills -- especially at night.
• Ensure windows and fire escape grills are secured.
• Keep your mobile phone charged and close to you at all times.

Pedestrians, Joggers, Cyclists:

• Avoid carrying backpacks and purses.
• If you exercise on the street, select routes where you can run, walk, or bike on the shoulder and face oncoming traffic, if it is safe to do so.
• Don't wear headphones.
• Exercise with a buddy.
• Avoid exercising after dark.
• Wear bright reflective clothing.
• Don't carry a wallet, flashy watch, jewelry, or iPods.
• Just carry a concealed cell phone and a minimum amount of cash (not ATM, credit, or debit cards).

• In Dar es Salaam, AVOID WALKING/BIKING near Touré Drive, Coco Beach, Ubungo bus station, the South Beach ferry area, or any place where there aren't houses on both sides of the road. Assailants may hide in brush-covered areas or in crowds. If you go to the South Beach ferry or the Ubungo bus station, arrive and depart in a secured vehicle.

Vehicles:


• Lock your doors and close your windows.
• Set the alarm (if available) when you park.
• Secure bags in the trunk or leave them at home.
• Don't take public transportation such as bajajs and daladalas, or hail unknown taxis on the street. Use a car service or have a hotel or restaurant hire a cab for you.
• When you drive at night in Dar, be especially cautious when stopped at traffic lights. In order to avoid assault at isolated intersections, some drivers do not stop at lights, but proceed after slowing down. This means that intersections are really dangerous at night, whether you have the right of way or not.
• When driving in traffic, leave adequate space between your car and the vehicle ahead to permit you to maneuver out of danger.

The U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam encourages U.S. citizens to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program ( <https://step.state.gov/step/> STEP) for the most up-to-date safety and security information. Keep all of your information in STEP up-to-date by maintaining your current phone numbers and email addresses where you can be reached in case of an emergency.

You can stay in touch and get updates by checking the U.S. Embassy Dar es Salaam <http://tanzania.usembassy.gov/> website. You can also get global updates at the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs <http://www.travel.state.gov/> website, where you can find the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well, or you can download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App <http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/smart-traveler/id442693988?mt=8> for travel information at your fingertips.

Current information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States or a regular toll line at-1-202-501-4444 for callers from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).


U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

686 Old Bagamoyo Road, Msasani

Tel: [255] (22) 229-4000; Fax: [255] (22) 229-4721

Email: <mailto:drsacs@state.gov> drsacs@state.gov

After Hours U.S. citizen emergencies should call +255-(0)22-229-4000 and wait for the operator to answer.