|
Safety
Tips
Some
of these travel tips may seem very simple for
the experienced traveler but here are some good
safety tips that may help in making your next
trip as smooth as possible.
Hang
onto your luggage
Place some bells on your carry on, and when someone
tries to move it, you will hear. Always, when
standing around or sitting drinking coffee, keep
your foot through the strap. If someone drops
something, or something happens, look at your
backpack. This may be a diversion to steal your
backpack.
A
Little Common Sense Goes a Long Way
Money belts are cheap idea, and I recommend you
invest in one. However they're so common these
days that anyone looking to steal from you knows
where you keep your valuables. That is - unless
you get a real money belt - not the canvas ones
that you strap round your waist, but the real
ones which look exactly like your common belt,
but have a carefully concealed zipper on the inner
side.
Don't
put all your eggs in one basket
Keep your cash, travelers checks, etc. in different
places on your person when you go out - and whether
on the move or stationed somewhere, NEVER keep
all your cash in one place. Put some down a sock,
some in that little inside pocket of your jeans,
etc. Those fanny packs are cool, but don't keep
anything valuable in them, as it's too easy for
someone to grab and run.
When you shop, split your spending money up and
put it in several different packets. Always put
some in a pocket that is inside a jacket or next
to your skin. This way, if you are pick-pocketed,
you will always have money.
How
to Mark Your Luggage
Mark every piece of luggage inside and outside
with your last name and first initial only, and
no title (Mr. Mrs. Ms.) If your bag is separated
from you and later found, it is useful to list
a contact phone number of someone who will be
easy to reach at your home city to whom they can
send the bag. DO NOT put your home address or
destination address on the luggage. Instead fill
in with your business address.
|
|
Don't
Look Like a Tourist
Do not stop on the street to consult a map or ask for
directions. This immediately identifies you as a tourist.
Step into a busy business to look at maps or check directions.
Doorstopper
When staying in hotels, be sure to bring your own rubber
doorstopper. Lodge the doorstopper from the inside,
for added security.
Main
Floor Not the Best Choice
When checking into a hotel, request a room that is not
on the first floor. First floor rooms are not the most
secure. If you must, then take extra precautions against
being observed in your room and securing the doors and
windows. Also, while rooms that have sliding doors leading
into a pool area are nice, they also increase your risk
of being broken into.
Shhhhhhh
- Don't Tell!
During your trip do not give out information about your
destination, valuables or itinerary to people who do
not need it - desk clerks, door men, taxi drivers and
such.
Washroom
Advice
When using a public washroom, never EVER leave anything
of value on the inside hooks of the door or on the floor.
Put them on your lap.
If you can, get a toilet cubicle next to a wall. You
can put all of your bags and things between the wall
and your leg. It minimizes the risk of someone reaching
under from the next toilet to take things, and takes
away the hassle of having things on your lap while trying
to go to the toilet.
How
Do I Get Back to the Hotel?
Better safe than sorry: When traveling to an unfamiliar
place, especially to another country, keep a business
card or matchbook or a piece of paper with your hotel's
address and phone number on it. If you do get lost or
separated from your group, you can show a cab driver
the address and be whisked to your 'home base' safe
and sound. This is particularly helpful to those in
a foreign country with little to no foreign language
skills.
Watch
for Transition Points
Watch for transition points. Pickpockets are more likely
get you during a brief confusion - like stepping off
of the subway or at the bottom of escalators. This is
when they know you are more distracted and will fake
a bump into you.
|
