Because you never know when a crash will happen, we began this effort with A Simple Guide to Child Restraints (posted July 11). Each year thousand of children are killed or injured in road crashes. Most of these injuries could have been avoided by using a properly fitted and approved baby restraint, child restraint or seat belt. To view an informative SLB PowerPoint presentation on this topic, Download the file here.

Another excellent resource for child auto safety information can be found on the Crash Survivors Network page Keeping Kids Safe in Cars. You will find links from a variety of non-profit and for profit auto safety and medical sources and videos on how to properly install infant and child restraints. Please pass this important information on to all your chapter members and friends.

May 1, 2007 (Health and Safety News) - A-OK Kids Safety Calendar - Each year the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) publishes a calendar with drawings submitted by hundreds of children from around the world. The A-OK program provides general safety information and educational materials to children at U.S. diplomatic posts overseas. Materials are designed to help children learn what they can do to avoid danger and react appropriately in threatening situations or emergencies. Click the child's drawing at left to download the May calendar, or go to the OSAC website where you can download the entire 2007 A-OK Living Safely Overseas calendar.

April 1, 2007 (Health and Safety News) - A-OK Kids Safety Calendar - Each year the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) publishes a calendar with drawings submitted by hundreds of children from around the world. The A-OK program provides general safety information and educational materials to children at U.S. diplomatic posts overseas. Materials are designed to help children learn what they can do to avoid danger and react appropriately in threatening situations or emergencies. Click the child's drawing at left to download the April calendar, or go to the OSAC website where you can download the entire 2007 A-OK Living Safely Overseas calendar.

March 1, 2007 (Health and Safety News) - A-OK Kids Safety Calendar - Each year the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) publishes a calendar with drawings submitted by hundreds of children from around the world. The A-OK program provides general safety information and educational materials to children at U.S. diplomatic posts overseas. Materials are designed to help children learn what they can do to avoid danger and react appropriately in threatening situations or emergencies. Click the bird image at left to download the March calendar, or go to the OSAC website where you can download the entire 2007 A-OK Living Safely Overseas calendar.

June 16, 2006 (Schlumberger Health and Safety) – Schlumberger Bird Flu Response PLAN - Schlumberger has prepared a generic plan for dealing with the Bird Flu threat. This presentation shows what to do in the event there is a Level 2 threat, or "human to human" transmission of the virus. This is only a PLAN and there are no level 2 countries to date. This presentation is for your information on how to manage the situation in the event of a Bird Flu Pandemic.
View the presentation - Bird Flu Level 2 PLAN (1.47MB PPT).
Questions about this plan? Contact your local SSA Regional Coordinator.

August 10, (Travel Risk Information) – Advice for those travelling to / from the UK - Due to a terror alert there are airport delays and restrictions on hand-luggage, including laptops, for travellers to and from the UK. For more information and updates please see UK Travel Information for Spouses and Updates on Air Travel Security in Country Travel Risk Information.

November 8, 2005 (Paris - Schlumberger Health and Safety) - Travel Remains Possible Despite Persistent Unrest - Rioting continued in low-income areas of several cities on the evenings of 4, 5, 6 and 7 November. Less disturbances were reported in the Paris region, however, there were numerous instances in many other cities.

The unrest has now become an urgent political issue for the government, which faces severe public criticism of its inability to prevent further outbreaks of disorder. While the rioting has spread from its initial flashpoint in the low-income outer suburbs of Paris to similar areas in other cities, a spread to areas commonly frequented by business travellers appears unlikely. Control Risks advises that travel can continue, but that personnel should remain clear of districts where rioting has occurred, particularly after nightfall.

November 7, 2005 (Paris - Schlumberger Health and Safety) - Exercise Caution as Rioting Spreads to Central Districts - Gangs of youths set fire to vehicles and were involved in clashes with security forces on 5-6 November as rioting spread to the city centre for the first time since civil unrest broke out in the suburbs on 27 October.

Despite incidents of violence in the city centre, foreign travellers are advised that the majority of the unrest has been confined to low-income suburbs of the city that business personnel are unlikely to need to visit. It is unlikely that the unrest will continue to occur in central districts on the same scale as the riots seen in outlying suburbs; however, personnel are advised to exercise caution because the unrest is reported to be becoming more organised, the security forces have failed to regain control and the situation remains volatile.

The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on 5 November warned its nationals to be extremely vigilant when travelling through outlying neighbourhoods and to avoid all demonstrations; Control Risks concurs with this advice and also recommends that business travellers limit their movements to central areas; avoid low-income districts (which are often characterised by overcrowded residential tower blocks) in the départments of Seine-Saint-Denis, Val d’Oise, Yvelines, Hauts-de-Seine, Saine-et-Marne, Val-de-Marne and Aulnay-Sous-Bois; and remain vigilant in central districts after dark. It is advisable to avoid large crowds of people and to leave an area if there are large numbers of security forces or riot police.

At least 30 vehicles were set alight during overnight violence on 5-6 November at the Place de la République and in the 17th Arrondissement. The violence subsequently escalated on 6-7 November in many districts of the capital, and in several other major cities, when rioters fired shotguns at police, injuring at least ten officers, and arsonists targeted cars and buildings; more than 900 people were arrested in connection with the unrest.

The trouble first broke out on 27 October in Clichy-sous-Bois in the départment of Seine-Saint-Denis, when two teenagers died in an electricity substation where they were hiding from police. However, the fact that the unrest has been perpetuated predominantly by young men of African origin who live in the city’s poorest neighbourhoods has prompted commentators to conclude that the disorder reflects a deeper discontent among some ethnic minority communities over their role and status in society.

General France Security Comments:

Control Risk Group security assessment states that Crime levels are generally low, though violent street crime is a problem in Paris and other major cities.

There are a few simple steps that can be taken to prevent and mitigate violent crime:

• Know your environment: ask experienced people for places or times to avoid. Most cities have no-go zones.
• If you hang your coat on the back of your chair, or on a coat rack, remove all of your belongings first: in many occasions pickpockets have stolen wallets and identification cards from jackets.
• If you have a bag or purse with you, keep it on your lap or between your feet.
• Do not advertise expensive belongings: it is recommended that you not wear extravagant jewelry, watches, etc. to public places or in the street.
• Do not handle money in the street: if you've just been to a bank, make sure you tuck the money away before you go back into the street.
• Try not to drink too much when in public places: you become an easier and more obvious target for criminals, and you are less able to think clearly enough to remove yourself from a dangerous situation.
• Use the buddy-system: you should never go alone to restaurants, bars or clubs.
• Assailants tend to prey on people who appear preoccupied or confused: stay alert and aware of your surroundings.
• If someone stops you to ask for directions or the time (especially at night or in deserted areas), step away at least two-and-a-half arm lengths, stand with feet shoulder-width apart, speak in a neutral but authoritative tone. Never take your eyes off the person's face and hands. Answer quickly and continue walking.
• Walk in the middle of the sidewalk, facing traffic: some purse-snatchers ride motorcycles or bicycles.
• Pickpockets operate most successfully in crowds. In a crowd, women should tuck their handbag in the crook of their arm and keep it close to their body. Keep a hand over the clasp. Can you avoid carrying a handbag at all?
• Men should keep their wallets in a front pocket and in crowds should keep a hand on their pocket over their wallet. As an option, you can only carry proper ID and the money you will need.
• It is always a good idea to keep some money separate from your wallet, so you will not lose everything at one time.
• If somebody corners you, do not resist and give them what they are asking for. Move slowly, announcing what you're doing, and don't look the assailant in the eye.
• Make sure you don't go around with a laptop bag: they make you into a target. Use an un-marked backpack instead.
• Don't leave your belongings (especially laptops) in vehicles unattended under any circumstances. Even if they are in a locked trunk
• Last but not least, always attach your laptop. Even at home!