Walt Disney World and Orlando are generally safe, and the theme park areas even safer, but there are some general precautions you should take to minimize your chances of being the victim of a crime.

General Safety -- U.S. urban areas tend to be less safe than those in Europe or Japan. Stay alert. While Orlando isn't a high-crime area, visitors should exercise a normal amount of caution. Street signs in downtown Orlando help keep visitors from wandering into the less-desirable neighborhoods. If there are any doubts as to which neighborhoods are safe, it is wise to ask the local tourist office or your car-rental agency for advice. You should always avoid deserted areas, especially at night, when the darkness just adds to the potential for a problem. Don't go into city parks at night unless there's an event that attracts crowds. Don't have valuables with you on the streets or blatantly display flashy cameras or electronic equipment. If you're using a pricey camera, stow it in a plain bag when you're not taking pictures. Keep money, credit cards, passports, and your driver's license in a money belt or small purse and wear it at all times. Keep only the day's spending money with you in your wallet and keep it in a front pocket. Make sure to sling your purse strap over your head and across your chest, not just over a shoulder. This will prevent someone from running by and being able to grab and go with your things. Leave those backpack pocketbooks at home -- they are an open invitation for someone to reach in and grab your wallet or other valuables. If you do have an emergency, report it as quickly as possible by calling tel. 911, which is the emergency police, ambulance, and fire number throughout Florida.

Here are a few other pointers to ensure you don't find yourself targeted by a thief:

Make sure to check every bill and receipt that you get to be certain that all of the charges listed are truly yours and that nothing additional (intentionally or otherwise) has been added to the total. At restaurants, check to see if an automatic gratuity has been added, so you don't end up tipping twice.

Keep track of the bills and coins you hand to cashiers. If it is busy they may forget (it may be unintentional -- or may not) and hand you back the incorrect change.

When you get cash for your trip, request small denominations. That way, you won't have to break large bills and leave yourself open to unwanted attention. Generally, $50 bills are the largest denomination that most businesses will accept, though in some cases they will take a $100 bill.

Technically, it isn't actual theft, but the phone charges at hotels may make you feel as if you've been robbed. If you use your hotel room's telephone for calls, you might be charged astronomical sums for both local, otherwise toll-free, and long distance calls (some hotels do offer free local calls). Every hotel is different so be sure to read the instruction card usually found near the phone, or ask about rates and charges at the front desk. A good alternative is to use pre-paid calling cards (available almost anywhere these days) or a calling card from your long distance carrier at a payphone.

Even if you're staying at a resort on Disney property, always remember to lock your room door, even if you're just going to get ice. Hotels are open to the public, and in a large hotel, security may not be able to screen everyone entering. Take your key with you wherever you go. When you're inside your hotel room, always confirm the identity of anyone knocking on your door before opening it, even if it is hotel staff. If you requested something from the front desk, housekeeping, or room service, call to confirm that someone associated with the hotel has been sent. Some of the top resorts in the area will call you when a staff member is on their way to your room.

Always park in well-lighted areas, and get your car keys or hotel room key out before you get to your door so you can enter or get in quickly. Be aware if there are suspicious characters hanging out in the parking lots or hallways. If you have concerns about someone lurking in the parking lot, head toward the hotel lobby or a public area, such as a restaurant or bar, before going to your room (you don't want a stranger to know where you are staying) and immediately report the person to the hotel staff.

Driving

Speed Limits -- Obey posted speed limits. On highways and interstates, they're usually 55 or 65 mph but as high as 70 in some rural areas. In residential areas, 30 or 35 mph is usually the case. Note: The corridor between the attractions and downtown Orlando is a speed trap with fines for speeding starting at $157. They double in construction areas and school zones. It is best to stick to the speed limit for safety reasons as well, not just because of the threat of a monetary penalty. With so many tourists, most of them having no idea where they are going (and who are probably paying more attention to their maps than their driving), you will be able to react much more quickly if you are not speeding along.

Seat Belts -- Seat belts are required for all passengers. Children under the age of 3 must be buckled into a car seat. Police will issue tickets to parents who don't put their children in the proper restraints while driving. Many car-rental agencies offer car seat rentals, though if you will be here for more than just a few days you may want to consider bringing your own as the rental cost will almost add up to the price of a new car seat.

Air Bag Safety -- Children, in or out of car seats, should ride only in the back seats of cars that are equipped with air bags. Air bags have been linked to the deaths of several young passengers in the U.S. If you do not know if your car is equipped with passenger side air bags, you will need to ask the car rental attendant; however, they are a standard feature on most new-model cars.

Drinking & Driving -- Don't. It's that simple. Florida's rules are strict, and strictly enforced. If you're planning to drink (alcohol that is), especially after an exhausting day in the theme parks, designate a sober driver or find an alternative means of transportation (there are plenty of options). Some clubs even provide free soft drinks to designated drivers. If you don't obey the law, your accommodations may change from a four-star hotel room to a Florida jail cell in short order.

Defensive Driving -- Drive with extra care in tourist-heavy areas. It's not uncommon for drivers to make sudden turns or to slow down unexpectedly when reading road signs. People often come to near stops on the highway while attempting to decipher the Disney signs, which can be confusing. The tourist areas in Orlando pack a double traffic whammy: Workers are in a hurry to get to their jobs, and tourists are scurrying to the fun. Assume all other drivers have no idea where they're going -- which is often close to the truth -- and you'll do fine. One of the best things to remember: Keep a safe distance between you and the car ahead of you. And, while it may sound like common sense, don't read a map while driving. Get your copilot to do it, use this book to determine your exit in advance, or call ahead to your destination to find out which exit you should take. Stay in the far right lane, the slow lane, when you begin to get near your exit.

Driving In The Rain -- Watch for a hazardous condition where oil on the road creates slick patches when the road gets wet. Rainstorms in Florida are intense and frequent; they're almost a daily occurrence in summer. Exercise extreme caution and drive in the far right lane when driving much slower than the speed limit. Don't pull off onto the shoulder of the road. If visibility is especially poor, pull off at the first exit and wait out the storm; they seldom last more than an hour. Florida law requires drivers to turn on their headlights whenever they turn on their windshield wipers.

If You Get Lost -- Exit numbers continue to change and signs continue to be confusing. On interstates or Orlando's toll roads, don't try a U-turn across the grassy median. Go to the next exit and reenter the highway by accessing the on-ramp near where you get off. Avoid pulling over to ask directions from people on the street. Instead, stop at a convenience store or gas station and ask the clerk. Don't forget, you can get maps ahead of time from the Orlando CVB, and if you are renting a car most will provide a map (some even provide computer generated directions). Most of the hotels have maps located in the racks with all of the brochures. They are usually inserts in the local tourist magazines.

Safety While Driving -- Question your rental agency about personal safety or ask for a brochure on traveler safety tips when you pick up your car. Obtain written directions from the agency or a map with the route marked in red, showing how to get to your destination. And, if possible, arrive and depart during daylight hours.

If you drive off a highway and end up in a dodgy-looking neighborhood, turn back around and leave the area as quickly as possible. If you have an accident, even on the highway, stay in your car with the doors locked until you assess the situation or until the police arrive. If you're bumped from behind on the street or are involved in a minor accident with no injuries, and the situation appears to be suspicious, motion to the other driver to follow you. Never open the window or get out of your car in such situations. Go directly to the nearest police station, well-lighted service station, or 24-hour store. You may want to look into renting a cellphone on a short-term basis if you don't already have one. One recommended wireless rental company is InTouch USA (tel. 800/872-7626; www.intouchusa.com).

If you see someone else on the road indicating a need for help, don't stop. Take note of the location, and call the police by dialing tel. 911 to make them aware of the situation.

Park in well-lighted, well-traveled areas whenever possible. Keep your doors locked, whether you're inside the car or not. Look around before you get out and never leave packages or valuables in sight. Although theme park lots are patrolled, it's best to secure your valuables at all times. For an added measure of security, you can always lock things in the lockers available near all of the park entrances. If it is an item you really don't need with you that day, use the hotel safe for storage and don't even bring it along.

If someone tries to rob you or steal your car, don't resist. Report the incident to the police immediately.