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Pickpockets are on the lookout for tourists, who usually have substantial amounts of cash on them. Don’t flaunt jewelry or advertise your status by wearing a waistpack and sporting your camera around your neck. A local grocery store bag is a good, inconspicuous place for cameras.

Beware of distractions in front of you when boarding buses or subways; a pickpocket’s accomplice behind you may be after your wallet. If you buy electronics from street peddlers for next to nothing, you may find next to nothing of value inside the box when you open it.

New York’s crime rate is way down, but it makes little sense to take chances. Most city parks are delightful during the day, but after dark are not safe places to explore; nor are low-income neighborhoods very safe places for visitors to roam late at night.

Don’t advertise your empty hotel room by putting out the “please make up this room” sign. Leave the lights on if you think you will be returning late. Other than the maids, don’t admit strangers to your room; if necessary, phone the desk to verify someone who claims to be an employee of the hotel.

The D.O.C.S clinics, affiliated with the Beth Israel Medical Center, offer convenient by appointment or walk-in services for adults and children.

Emergency treatment is available 24 hours a day; if you are able, call the number on your policy first, and check which hospitals your insurance company deals with.

For dental crises, D.O.C.S has walk-in clinics. You can also contact N.Y.U. Dental Care for urgent treatment.

Most U.S. insurance is effective throughout the country, but those with foreign insurance coverage should take out comprehensive medical travel insurance before arriving in the U.S. Should you need any treatment, you will be expected to pay for it at the time of service and the bill can be an extremely steep one.

Smoking is illegal in almost all public places in New York, including subways, movie theaters, restaurants and bars. The fines are stiff, $100 and up.

Various helplines are available to call in a crisis.