Page 548 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Germany

546  SUR VIV AL GUIDE PR A C TIC AL INFORM A TION  547

Security and Health safety precautions need identification number DIRECTORY
be taken. However, it is best (IMEI). To replace lost or
Germany is a safe place for visitors, but it is always a good idea to to avoid certain areas in stolen passports, visit your Emergency Services
take sensible precautions especially in larger towns and cities. towns where there is a lively local consulate who can Crime Victim Hotline
Extra caution should be taken against pickpockets – particularly nightlife, particularly in large issue a replacement. Keep Tel 116 006.
on public transport or in busy tourist areas. It is worth using cities – for example, the a photocopy of your pass­ Tel 0800 1 11 01 11
port/ID in your luggage to
Reeperbahn in Hamburg.
a money belt or other means of hiding your money and Hitchhiking is quite popular in reduce hassle if it gets lost (Telephone counselling).
documents. Taking out medical insurance cover is always Germany, but a better option or stolen. Fire Brigade and
advisable when travelling abroad, but for minor health problems for single women may be to Fire engine from the Berlin fire brigade Medical Emergency
Tel 112.
that do not require the services of a doctor, pharmacists are use the services of Mitfahr­ Hospitals and
a good and easily accessible source of assistance. zentrale (see p557). Pharmacies Police
Tel 110 or 112.
For a serious illness or
In an Emergency injury, visit a hospital Automobile Rescue
What to Be Aware of Services
The national emergency (Krankenhaus) or call an
Violent crime is very rare in number for medical assistance ambulance. All emergency Notruf des
Germany and the law is and the fire brigade is 112. In rooms are part of the Bundesverbands der
enforced energetically. a medical emergency, call an public health system, so Autoversicherer
The most serious threat for ambulance, which will take your EHIC or supplemen­ Tel 0800 6 683 663.
a tourist is always the you to the nearest emergency Ambulance of the paramedic tary insurance will cover
pickpocket. These thieves tend room (Rettungsstelle). In large rescue services you. The symbol for Lost Property
to prowl in crowded places, hotels, medical care for minor hospitals is a red cross on Deutsche Bahn (Rail)
such as railway platforms, train ailments can often be provided white background. Lost and Found Office
carriages and buses. They also on the premises. Pharmacies in Germany Tel 0900 1 99 05 99.
frequent popular tourist sights If a road accident or are indicated by a red
and any events where large breakdown occurs call for stylized letter “A” for Hospitals and
groups of people are likely to help on your mobile phone Apotheke and are usually Pharmacies
gather. It is best to leave your (110 or 112 for police and open 8am–6pm; in small
valuable items and documents ambulance). Several break- towns they may close ∑ med-kolleg.de
∑ apotheken.de (for nearest
in the hotel safe. Park your car in down companies offer roadside Traditionally coloured white and blue 1–3pm. In larger towns after­hours pharmacy)
the hotel car park whenever assistance (see p557). If your police car there is always a rota and ∑ zahnnotdienst.de (after­
Policeman and policewoman possible and never leave car breaks down in the middle this is clearly displayed in the hours dentist search)
valuable items in the vehicle, of nowhere, you can call Lost and Stolen Property window of each pharmacy
especially if it has to be left in 0800 6 683 663 on your mobile with a note of addresses.
Police
the street overnight. Should you phone. This automobile Before leaving home it is Information on rota pharmacies well served with hospitals
German police can be easily become the victim of a crime, emergency service is advisable to take out an insur­ may also be obtained from and pharmacies. No vaccin­
identified by their blue the Crime Victim Hotline equipped to track you down. ance policy to cover property tourist offices, local newspapers ations are required when
uniforms, except in Bavaria offers a counselling service. If you witness a crime on against loss or theft. Theft or the internet. entering Germany.
and the Saarland where the Buying counterfeit items the platform of an under- and burglaries must be However, ticks are prevalent
traditional green uniforms are like cigarettes from street ground or commuter reported to the police in forests and rural areas,
still worn. Investigators of vendors is an offence and railway, a designated immediately and a certificate Minor Hazards especially during summer, and
criminal offences, Kriminalpolizei, should be avoided. emergency alarm obtained to confirm that the Germany poses few serious visitors should seek medical
are generally dressed in plain Although alcohol is button can be used to loss has been reported; this is health hazards for travellers. advice if bitten.
clothes. They will produce sold at every fuel station, summon assistance. needed if an insurance claim Tap water is safe to drink
their identification and badge drinking and driving is not Special alarm buttons, is submitted. throughout the country, Health Insurance
as necessary. a good idea and it is against within small red boxes, also If property has been lost, there are no prevalent
Municiple officers and traffic the law to drive with a blood provide a direct connection it is worth checking at a lost diseases, and the country is Citizens of countries within
wardens also wear the navy- alcohol level over 50mg/dl, with the fire brigade property office (Fundbüro). the European Union with a
blue uniforms. They are in the equivalent of one beer. (Feuerwehr). These alarm These exist in every German European Health Insurance
charge of minor offences such It is illegal to use your buttons are easy to find, city. The Deutsche Bahn has Card (EHIC) are entitled to free
as illegal parking, crossing at mobile phone while usually located in its own lost property offices, medical care in Germany. It is
a red light, littering or riding a driving or even sitting in a prominent positions on as do transport systems in also advisable to take out some
bicycle on the pavement and car with the engine the streets and in large individual towns. form of supplementary health
are entitled to check documents running; doing so can Alarm button for the department stores. In the event of a lost or stolen insurance, as some services,
and issue fines. result in a fine of €40. fire brigade In an emergency, mobile phone, inform the such as repatriation costs, are
To report a crime, it is Be aware of cyclists. consulate officials can service provider immediately to not covered.
necessary to go to a local police They tend to be every- help travellers with have the account locked and If plans include sporting
station (Polizeiabschnitt) and, where but the autobahn, and legal or other advice, locate a avoid unwanted charges on activities, particularly dangerous
in event of theft, get a Bericht, have right of way in dedicated translator, or contact family your bill. They may also be able sports, make sure the policy
the report required for bike lanes. members. In some circum- to trace the phone. You should covers rescue services (for
insurance claims. In the case A woman travelling on her stances they may be able to also report a theft to the example, mountain rescue).
of a traffic accident or an own will not surprise anyone in lend money for a ticket home nearest police station. The This type of insurance is usually
emergency, call 110 or 112. Germany and only the usual (see p545). police will need the phone’s Entrance to a pharmacy in Heidelberg much more expensive.

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm