For Immediate Release September 11, 2001 Americans Must Heighten Security Precautions in the U.S., Overseas SEATTLE -- Today’s terrorist attacks on the United States should serve as a wake-up call to alert Americans to the sobering reality that now confronts them, according to the security expert of an international humanitarian agency. Here in the U.S. and abroad, Americans should take practical steps to help protect themselves, says World Vision’s Charles H. Rogers. Terrorists are “out there” and U.S. citizens are increasingly vulnerable as witnessed today in New York and Washington, D.C., according to Rogers. Should a terrorist, or a band of terrorists, be intent on targeting U.S. citizens, there is very little that can be done to stop them, despite attempts to track and monitor their activities. That is just the “hard reality of the situation,” says Rogers. Over the next several days, Americans should avoid buildings that represent symbols of U.S. economic, military and political power, Rogers says. In addition, they should avoid all non-essential travel and pay special attention to advisories of the Federal Aviation Administration. Despite today’s terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, the vulnerability of Americans remains much higher overseas. U.S. citizens often are labeled “soft targets” in foreign countries. U.S. travelers abroad must weigh terrorist risks right along with the risks of accidents, illnesses, or personal assaults. Security professionals agree that the first principle of personal safety is accurate, reliable and current information. American travelers must heighten their awareness of security issues and practice due diligence in staying informed of potential threats as much as possible. Travel agencies can - and should - play a major role in this effort by directing travelers to security bulletins issued daily by the U.S. State Department and a host of private security firms. Business travelers should pay serious attention to the advice and travel guidelines issued by their corporate security officers. An added measure, Rogers says, particularly for those who travel abroad often, would be to participate in formal instruction on security awareness while traveling overseas. Many would be amazed at the effective measures that can be taken by individual travelers to avoid trouble: Learn the history of violence of the country and, if possible, the city where you are going, and whether there has been violence against Americans to the exclusion of others; Find out what areas within cities that are more prone to violence than others; While in the foreign country, Americans should maintain a low profile by dressing, talking and conducting themselves in a manner that does not draw attention to them; and Americans should stay away from government buildings, especially U.S. government buildings, such as embassies, which may be targets of terrorist attacks. There are no “fool proof” safeguards and no security detail that is completely impenetrable, Rogers says. Americans must take more precautions than they did even a few years ago. Contact: Dean R. Owen, (253) 815-2103 (Office); (888) 734-8938 (Pager) Sheryl Watkins, (253) 815-2246 (Office); (888) 787-3056 (Pager) Founded in 1950, World Vision, a Christian humanitarian aid organization, serve more than 80 million people annually in nearly 100 countries. For more information on the Christian humanitarian organization, please click here.