Page 322 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Pacific Northwest

320  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Personal Health and Security charge from any telephone.
Most hospitals have a 24-hour
The Pacific Northwest prides itself on the safety of its towns emergency room; be prepared
and cities and on its welcoming attitude toward visitors. for a long wait. Although they
Street crime is rare, and police are a visible presence as they may be busy, public hospitals
patrol the major cities on horseback, motorcycle, and on foot. can be much less expensive
than private ones. Hospitals
However, it is still wise to be vigilant and to find out from your in British Columbia will provide
hotel or a tourist information center which parts of town treatment to anyone, regardless
should be avoided. In the open countryside, bear in mind of health care coverage; in the
natural dangers, such as unexpectedly inclement weather US, visitors must provide payment
and wild animals. Always heed local warnings. or proof of insurance coverage
before receiving treatment.
Guidelines on Safety Natural Hazards
the car and leave the glove
While traveling, it is always compartment empty and open. Before setting off to hike
advisable to take a few It is also advisable to keep the or camp, check with the
basic precautions and at car doors locked while driving. appropriate state, provincial,
all times to remain aware or federal forest service for
of your surroundings. information on the conditions
Carry traveler’s checks and Medical Matters in the area and recommended
small amounts of cash in a Most major cities in the Pacific safety precautions. Skiers and
secure bag, purse, or pocket, Northwest have walk-in medical snow boarders should heed
and do not carry your wallet in clinics, which are usually warning signs and stay on
a back pocket. Pickpockets and sufficient for minor injuries and groomed runs and trails. It is
thieves, who are often well ailments. Clinics and hospitals always best to be accompanied
dressed and tend to work are listed in the Yellow Pages when engaging in any such
in pairs, target their victims of the telephone directory. outdoor activity. Insects are
in airports, malls, and other Without insurance, medical another hazard. While black
crowded areas. services can be expensive. flies, which are common in the
Always watch your luggage Even with insurance, you may spring, are annoying, they are
carefully at airports and while have to pay upfront for the relatively harmless. Mosquitoes,
checking in and out of your medical treatment and seek however, which are prevalent
hotel. Although theft is rare in reimbursement from your in the summer, can be carriers
hotel rooms, ask at your hotel insurance company later. of the potentially fatal West
if you can store valuable items, Nonprescription painkillers Nile virus. Ticks, which can be
such as jewelry, credit cards, or and other medicines can be carriers of Lyme disease, are
extra cash, in the hotel safe. obtained from drugstores, found in dry, wooded areas.
When you use an automated many of which are open To protect yourself, use insect
teller machine (ATM), choose 24 hours a day. Prescription repellent and wear long sleeves,
one that is located in a well-lit, drugs can be dispensed only long trousers, and socks. If you
busy area and never let a from a pharmacy. If you take a are bitten and develop a rash or
stranger look over your prescription drug, pack an extra flu-like symptoms, seek medical
shoulder or assist you in supply, as well as a copy of the attention immediately.
using your bank card. prescription. A first-aid kit is also When camping, beware of
Travelers with cars should recommended when camping cougars, wolves, coyotes, and
park in well-lit garages or or trekking into remote areas. bears (see pp312–13). Many
use valet parking if offered If you have HIV or AIDS, parks post information on
by the hotel, and avoid leaving call the embassy or consulate recent sightings. Leaving food
valuable items in the car. Always of the country to which you out can attract dangerous
lock the doors when you park are traveling to find out about wildlife and is illegal in many
regulations regarding travelers areas, as is feeding wild animals.
with either of these conditions. Most beaches in Oregon and
The entry requirements can Washington are not patrolled
change at short notice. by lifeguards. Heed the red-tide
warnings that alert shellfish
collectors to contamination.
Emergencies Also watch out for riptides, which
Dial 911 if the emergency are strong currents that can
requires the fire department, quickly pull swimmers away from
police, or an ambulance; if you the shore. To avoid being swept
Compact first-aid kit, an essential item are not in a major city, dial 0. out to sea, don’t fight the current
for travelers The call can be made free of and swim parallel to the shore.

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