Discovering Brazil

 Do not keep your documents, credit cards, checkbooks, and your money together in the same pocket or wallet; also take photocopies of all your documents to keep at home  If an assault occurs, try to keep calm; remember the thief is more nervous than you and if you react their attitude may be aggressive; observe their face very well in case you may need to identify the assailant Helpful Hint: You may want to determine a moral strategy for how you want to address beggars. You may choose, for example, to keep candies in the car to give to child beggars or some change that is easily accessible. If you choose to donate change or small coins, do not open your wallet to take out money, and do not open the vehicle windows all the way. In Case of Theft  Telephone the nearest police station and call a patrol car, or go to the nearest police station to report the situation (you will receive a report on the occurrence for insurance purposes)  Do not resist handing over valuables. Cancelling credit cards or personal checks after the incident is a safer alternative  Advise your bank of any loss or theft of credit cards or checkbooks immediately after a theft occurs In the Car  While driving, make sure to lock your doors and windows and try to keep windows up at traffic intersections  Inside automobiles, keep your packages and personal belongings out of the sight of other people, leaving them on the vehicle floor or in the trunk to reduce visibility  Always have a mobile phone – not only for safety but for a mechanical emergency. Using mobile phones while driving is prohibited in major cities and will receive a fine  At night, try to park your car near a street light and avoid empty streets  In case of a flat tire, keep going until you find a safe place to change to a spare  Unfortunately, faking car accidents is a common scam, so do not stop behind vehicles which have had an accident or if someone is injured. Contact emergency services such as the police to report what you see so that the proper assistance will arrive  Tell your children never to accept rides from people they do not know Emergency Numbers  National Emergency Services: dial +190 (911 and 112 redirect to 190 when used on cellular phones in Brazil)  National Ambulance Services: dial +192  National Fire Services: dial +193

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Discovering Brazil