It is vitally important that the experienced business traveller take time out to think about personal security while on the run.

Most will tell you they've travelled the world without any major incidents or that they have never experienced any kind of difficulty. However, business travellers, solo, and especially women travellers, should be vigilant, careful, and attentive about their personal safety when overseas. With security today a worldwide concern and problem, take these precautions should be looked into before your next departure.

In between flights, don't leave your bags unattended, don't assist any stranger in taking their bags for them, and don't hand out money to beggars.

We are sometimes tempted to trust some of the strangers we encounter. For me, it's the children, especially in underdeveloped countries, who beg and tell you the saddest stories you've ever heard. Unfortunately, only a few of the story-lines are authentic, but most are scams, set up by adults exploiting those poor innocent children to rob you.

Women in particular should be cautious when registering for their hotel room and use the following safety precaution tips: Use only your first initial and last name to register; if the registration clerk announces your room number where others can hear, request another room and tell why; Be extremely careful in train stations and crowded streets -- professional thieves will easily grab or cut your bag -- and lose themselves in the crowd; When waiting for an elevator, if you feel uncomfortable entering with the strangers already in, wait for another one; Don't leave your hotel door open at any time; Don't wear too much jewellery; Arriving late at night? Take a taxi and get your rental car the following day; Don't invite strangers to your room or give your room number out -- when necessary, give only your surname; and Don't open up your room door for unsolicited foods, gifts or flowers.

All business travellers should avoid run down areas day or night. Use your common sense. If it is not something in character you would do at home, why do it in a strange city? In the event you are the adventurous brave type, be careful and try to blend in because a sure way to show your are a stranger or insecure is by gazing or being totally different (dressed). Command and control your body language to convey that you are relaxed in the scene and not surprised nor intimidated.

When you are renting a car, even during the day, do not leave luggage or anything in view.

Gangs in Florida and California have been known to target rental vehicles for theft. Whenever possible, drive on the major highways; if your car is bumped from behind, do not stop. In case this happens to you, put on your indicator and/or hand signal the other drive to follow you and don't stop until you either come to a public area or see Police to request help. Do not sleep on the roadside. On the major highways and freeways, there are well-lit security rest stops.

When too tired to go on, stop there to regroup, and if still exhausted drive until you see the nearest motel or hotel, but don't fall asleep in the vehicle, especially when alone.

Travellers cheques are still one of the safest way to carry money, along with a credit card with an ample credit line, of course. Check available credit limit on credit cards frequently. For added security, record the travellers chequenumbers along with the toll-free telephone number to report lost or theft, both at home and in your luggage.

The Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card can be used to access money overseas but before you leave home, check to make sure your bank's ATM system is accessible internationally. According to the Traveller Planner, your bank should be able to "give you specific locations where you can use your card overseas and be sure to find out if there is a service charge involved; and most ATM systems support only four-digit PIN (Personal Identification Number); if your PIN has five or more digits, ask your banker to issue you one that has only four.'' Even though they may offer a much higher rate of exchange, avoid exchanging money with strangers; in some countries it is highly illegal and carries jail sentences for the guilty individuals.

Even the astute business traveller should take notes for future travelling plans. For a free World Travel Tips brochure, write to: World Travel Tips, 79 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016; or fax (212) 213-7766.

Cindy Swan is a professional organiser with over 20 years of office administrative managerial experience and a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers. Address inquiries to Cindy Swan, PO Box 304, St.

George's GEBX, or email her at bermudagolf yibl.bm