Travel Tips by Sharon Wingler

Protection

February 29 2008

Protect Your Belongings No matter where you go, there will be people whod like to relieve you of your valuables. They dont want to go to a lot of trouble to get them, nor do they want to hurt you. But, if your valuables seem easy to take, someone will try to take them. Tourists are prey for pickpockets, swindlers and thieves so, first of all, dont look like a tourist.

Dress conservatively, trying to blend with the locals, and avoid walking around town with the camera hanging off your neck and map in hand. Make two copies of all important valuables you must take: the picture page of your passport, airline tickets, credit and ATM cards, travelers checks and drivers license. Leave one at home with a trusted friend or relative. Pack the other copy in your suitcase separately from the actual items.

Take on vacation only what you need. Pare down to one credit card (I suggest either Visa or MasterCard - they are more widely accepted), one ATM card, your drivers license, passport, some travelers checks and very little cash. Do not take expensive or designer clothes or jewelry. You dont want to look wealthy when you travel. Use the hotels safe to store all but what youll need that day, including your airline tickets. Carry each day only what you need. Consider carrying either the credit card or ATM card, leaving the other one in the hotel safe. Scatter your wealth: some cash in a front pocket, the credit card in your wallet and a travelers check in a hidden money pouch. That way, a pickpocket will not leave you without resources. Pickpockets look for easy marks, so make your stuff harder to take than the next guys.

Keep your bags "attached" to you at all times. If youre sitting down, either keep the bag in your lap, put it on the floor between your feet with the strap over your knee, or put it on the floor next to your chair and sit on the strap. If you want to sleep on a train or bus, use the bag as your pillow. Wallets should be carried in front pant or blazer pockets. Be wary of any sudden commotion. Thieves often work in teams. One or more will divert your attention while the other steals from you. The diversion could be almost anything a handful of coins dropped in front of you, a group of children pushing around you, something spilled on you or even someone asking for the time.

Always be aware of your possessions when you are in crowds, stores, buses and trains. Know that thieves often use razors to slice through the strap or pouch of your bag. I prefer bags that have two straps. Straps should be long enough to fit over your shoulder but short enough to keep the bag between your chest and upper arm. Bags should zip closed and be carried with the zipper pull in front of you. Fanny packs (dead-giveaways that youre a tourist) and money pouches strung around the neck are easily removed by thieves. Better are money pouches made to be worn under clothing around the waist, around the ankle, under your socks, or as a shoulder holster, under the arm. Secure your luggage with a sturdy lock. Do not rely on the manufacturers lock, as the keys are interchangeable for many suitcases. By following these simple precautions, you should successfully protect your belongings!