In the wake of America's current high profile — not always favorable — Americans are wise to consider how they tread across the planet. Travel safety is a significant issue that you need to address head-on. Don't stay home when you yearn to walk on foreign soil, but do take precautions. Most incidents are preventable.

Exposure to different ways of life is a significant aspect of the lure of travel. Every country has different rules of behavior, dress, language, customs and culture. If you don't understand the rules, you are putting yourself at risk. As with travel anywhere, caution and common sense are your best guides.

Knowing beforehand what hazards and hassles you may encounter — and how to deal with them — will make your trip not only more rewarding, but also safer and less intimidating.

Research the city or country where you plan to travel. Read Internet posts on newsgroups, forums and bulletin boards that are relevant to your destination. Often you will find insightful tips from travelers who have recently been there. Scour English-language versions of newspapers online to become familiar with the lifestyle as well as up-to-date caveats and happenings at your destination. Begin at www.worldnews.com for the electronic version of virtually every worthwhile paper on the planet.

Familiarize yourself with possible threats abroad. For up-to-date bulletins on specific locales, contact the U.S. Department of State's Overseas Citizen Services Hotline/Consular Affairs, toll-free, at (888) 407-4747, or see www.travel.state.gov.

When in a foreign country, avoid looking like a tourist. Go native, blending in with the local population. Conservative clothing provides useful camouflage in most cities. Ditch the Rolex and flashy jewels. And bear in mind that thieves probably cannot distinguish your costume jewelry from the real thing until after they've robbed you.

Practice good street smarts. Passports, particularly American and British, are among the world's hottest commodities. Keep yours in a hotel safe deposit box or hidden in a locked suitcase. Photocopy the I.D./picture pages of your passport, with one copy to carry, one to tuck into your luggage and one to leave at home with a family member. In the case of theft or loss while traveling, your chances of a swift replacement will be greatly enhanced by documentary evidence.

GET A DUMMY WALLET

Carry your wallet (wrapped in a thick rubber band) in a front pocket, not in the back, and carry only small amounts of cash and one charge card. Many veteran travelers to big-city locales recommend using a "dummy wallet" with $20 or less in small denominations. If you are robbed, turn over the dummy wallet immediately. Use sock wallets or nylon hideaway pouches attached to your belt or worn under your clothing for extra cash or other important items.

Carrying a map, guidebook, and lots of cumbersome camera gear is tantamount to pasting a bull's-eye on your chest. They scream "tourist!" Backpacks are also a beacon for thieves who steal the contents by slashing a hole in the bottom. Discretion in dress and behavior will greatly increase your invisibility on a thief's "victim" radar.

When traveling in a high-crime city, confer with your hotel's bellman, concierge or front desk regarding safe districts around the city to jog, dine or sightsee. Ask about local customs and which taxi companies to use or avoid. Be subtle about consulting maps and guides in public.

When walking around cities and towns, go in small groups, or at least in pairs. Do not use shortcuts, narrow alleys, or poorly lit streets. Do not travel alone at night in unsavory areas. You will always be at a disadvantage because while a thief is on familiar turf, you're the stranger in a strange land.

DON'T LOOK CLUELESS

Your body language communicates much information to miscreants. If you are unaware of what is going on around you or if you look confused, you could become a target. Always walk as if you have a purpose and know where you are going. An expression of confidence will likely deter anyone who might mean you harm.

Use ATMs during daylight hours when many people are around.

No matter where you travel there will be, sadly, people looking for opportunities to take advantage of visitors. Scams abound, and some are undetectable while they're happening. Avoid any commerce with strangers who pretend to be policemen wanting to check your documents and cash for some bogus purpose. Beware of vagrant children, normally in groups of four or five, who will divert your attention, then pick your pocket.

Keep your purse or briefcase in view or "in touch" at all times. Be alert against strangers asking for directions, jostling you or spilling drink or food on your clothing. An accomplice may be prepared to pilfer your wallet, purse, or briefcase while you are distracted. Decline any offers of food and drink, bargains or guide services from unknown people — often very convincing — who approach you. You could be drugged unconscious, then robbed of your valuables.

PLAN AHEAD

Scan your passport picture and signature pages, your credit-card details, and air tickets onto your computer hard drive as jpg (picture files). Attach them to an e-mail to be transmitted to your address at a universal e-mail account, the one you normally use while traveling. By doing this, you will have an easily accessible copy of your essential documents which is likely to expedite the replacement process if lost or stolen.

Most importantly, don't ignore your instincts. If you have a gut feeling that something is not right, it probably isn't. Move on. Get away.

The globe can be a tough neighborhood. Make defensive preparations in advance to ensure your safety and security while traveling. Then tread with ease and confidence in this best of all possible worlds.

Irene Croft Jr. of Kailua, Kona, is a travel writer and 40-year veteran globetrotter. Her column is published in this section every other week.