Missouri is generally a safe state.
talk
Most areas of Missouri use the traditional Midwestern dialect of English. In the boot-heel region, mainly from Sikeston south, the accent of the people has a southern drawl to it.
English is the official language of state business in Missouri by law.
A few town pronunciations:
Rolla Raw-LuhJapan Jay-PanHayti Hay-TieNevada Nuh-VAY-Duh
severe weather
Although not officially a part of the country's tornado alley, Missouri does experience tornadoes during the spring and summer months of the year. Weather conditions can change rapidly and it is important to stay informed during tornado season as to the current weather outlook while traveling across the state.
If you are planning on traveling to Missouri during the spring or summer months, refer to the Tornado safety page for important precautionary information.
crime
Follow the guidelines you would normally follow for city safety.
If you are visiting the rivers in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Salem population 5,000 is the city that most people have to travel through on the way to the rivers and they have 3 lodging facilities, including 1 major national chain. Lock your doors and take anything, and I mean anything you don't want to have stolen from your car inside your room with you. This city has a very high theft rate, especially from automobiles parked in the hotel parking lots. Chances are your stuff will be missing if you leave it in your car overnight. Also lock your car tight and make sure that if you have an alarm it is turned on as a few vehicles have been stolen in the past year.