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.
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