When it comes to traveling outside of the United States, there are many important things to remember these days: everything from having a Real ID to renewing your passport early.  But I regularly hear from Arkansans that one of the most valuable things they do is sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). 

STEP is a free service of the U.S. State Department and provides important updates and alerts from the U.S. Embassy in the areas you are visiting. These updates are sent to your email with information about local security concerns, demonstrations, weather alerts and other issues that might impact your health and safety while you are there. It also helps officials reach you if there is an emergency back home.

My staff and I have seen first-hand the value of this program during natural disasters, civil unrest, terrorist attacks and countless other incidents over the years. It is especially important in emergencies, when the U.S. Embassy needs to reach American travelers and help them get home safely.

You can find information and enroll your trip at https://mytravel.state.gov/s/step. And, as always, you are welcome to reach out to my office whenever you have concerns about federal programs. We are happy to provide our expertise and a helping hand.