|
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.
|
