Carry a pocket flashlight. Many entrance halls and stairways have no lights. And in winter the nights are long and dark.

Carry a small can of "Mace", "Pepper Shield", or similar product and know how to use it. If you feel threatened, take it out and let it be seen. This is an effective deterrent. And don't hesitate to use it.

Never get into a taxi carrying anyone other than the driver. Look at the driver and condition of the car. When in doubt, wave the taxi on. Taxis ordered by phone or through organized services at hotels will be more expensive but safer. Many "official state taxis", once the benchmark of safety have been privatized and are no longer subject to official supervision on rates or safety. See TAXIS/LIMOUSINES.

Never give your home address to a stranger. Russians never do; they often don't even let the taxi driver know exactly where they live. And foreigners are even better targets for thieves. Instead, exchange phone number and business address.

Don't show large amounts of money, especially hard currency. For small purchases, carry some rubles in one pocket and some dollars in another. Carry your documents and large sums of money separately inside your clothing in a money belt or pouch hung around your neck.

Changing Money. Safest at currency exchange offices. Now there are hundreds of safe places to exchange money at competitive rates. On the street, never change money alone. See CURRENCY EXCHANGE FOR INDIVIDUALS.

Fraud. Most fraud occurs when changing money and buying "bargains" on the street.

Beware. Be specially alert around railroad, metro, and bus stations, markets, and Izmaylovo Flea Market. On overnight trains take a few simple precautions. See RAIL INFORMATION - INTERCITY AND INTERNATIONAL.

Street urchins. Like in many European cities, roving gangs of children are perhaps the most visible and the most aggressive thieves. Much to the dismay of the gypsy community, many of them are gypsy children. Beware of gangs of dirty, ill dressed, poor looking children (under 14 because they can not be arrested). Don't be sympathetic about their condition. You may actually be in imminent danger of being robbed. These gangs work by swarming around you like bees, begging, even grabbing your legs or arms and distracting you. Then, in a flash, they cut your purse from around your neck, grab your parcels, unzip your backpack, rip off headphones, and knock you to the ground to take what they want. This happens in many other large European cities as well.

What to do. Stay with or go over to other people, go into a shop. Don't look at them, move away quickly. Don't be distracted, by begging. If you have a mace or pepper shield canister, take it out and let them see it. Use it if necessary. If they come near you, threaten to hit them and loudly shout "von" or "militia". And if a child (or even woman beggar) comes close to you, act aggressively at once. From experience we know that they will not hesitate to rob you in broad daylight.

Don't jaywalk. Cross busy streets at the light or use the underpass (perekhod) denoted by a blue and white sign with a picture of a person walking down a stairway. Russians observe these rules and with good cause.

Poor enforcement of sanitary standards. Food handling and sanitation standards are not enforced. While refrigeration, food handling and food preservation is improving, it is still primitive in many shops and eating establishments which may or may not have hot water. Water is less of a problem in Moscow then in St. Petersburg but most Russians don't drink the water. You probably shouldn't either. See WATER.

Medical problems. Traveler's requiring periodic injections should bring their own syringes needles and prescriptions. Check that your immunizations are current especially DPT and consider cholera as well. Only go to medical care facilities using disposable products. Note that there is no iodine in the salt.