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General Travel Security & Safety
Tips
1.)
When taking a trip either on land, sea or by air, it is always a
good idea to photograph all of your valuables and make two
photocopies of all credit cards, passports, airline tickets and
any other important documents that you are taking. Keep one copy
at home for your records and take the other copy with you but
never to be kept in the same suitcase or carry-bag as the
originals.
2.)
Whether you are in an airport or a hotel lobby, always keep a
close eye on your luggage and carry bags. Thieves who prey on
tourists are experts at snatching your valuables right from
under your nose and often in a fraction of a second. Ladies
should make sure that their purse is zippered closed and men
should carry their wallets in a front pants pocket.
3.)
Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Although you will need
some currency, keep most of your money in traveler’s checks.
American Express checks seem to work the best since they are
more widely recognized and fairly easy to replace when stolen or
lost. Whenever possible, break up your trip money among others
with you, i.e. spouse, older children, etc. but never leave
currency or checks in your hotel or motel room.
4.)
When hiding your valuables, remember that thieves make their
living being good at taking your stuff. I had a friend who sent
for a catalogue of “security safes & devices.” These include
common-looking aerosol cans, such as hairspray and cleaning
products. They look ordinary enough, but the base of the can
screws off to reveal a hollow chamber. When her jewelry was
taken from one of these so-called “safes,” she asked the police
investigator how the thieves could have known. The detective’s
answer was simple: “Thieves send away for the same catalogues
that you do.” Most major hotels and motels have safes in the
lobby or the rooms themselves, so take advantage of that
service.
5.)
Some travel safety gurus recommend
stashing money and jewelry in those dark brown medicine and
prescription bottles. This is clearly a bad idea due to the fact
that many thieves steal to support a drug habit. Why then should
cash and jewels be stored in “pill bottles?” When traveling with
your medications, always hold them among your valuables to be
secured and held onto just as tightly as your cash, traveler’s
checks, and jewelry.
6.) It’s always fun to go off the
beaten path once in a while, but for the most part you should
have an itinerary and stick to it. Make loved ones at home aware
of that itinerary and consider scheduling frequent check-in
times, especially when traveling abroad. When hiring a local
tour guide, make sure that they are reputable. You can do this
through a travel agent or your local AAA office.
Cruise Ship Safety
Before setting sail on your dream vacation, here are few tips to
help ensure that you have the time of your life.
1.)
Always do your homework. Cruise lines are supposed to report any
and all serious crimes committed against Americans but these
reports are ultimately left up to the officers to decide what is
serious. Learn the ship's track record.
2.) All
because you are on vacation doesn't mean that common sense has
to take a holiday as well. Use good judgment and exercise
caution as you would anywhere with regard to interacting with
strangers, taking care of your belongings and room safety.
3.) Of
course you want to take along your jewelry and electronics such
as cameras, but take only what you need leaving your good stuff
home. Your cabin is like a hotel room with the same dangers and
opportunities for those who prey on tourists.
4.)
Ladies who travel alone should be extra diligent. Historically,
the number one crime committed on a cruise ship is sexual
assault and battery.
5.)
Excessive alcohol consumption is bad anytime but on board a
ship, it can be deadly. Statistics have shown that since 1990,
92% of the people who have fallen off of a ship were seen
drinking excessively prior to their disappearance. 98% were
never recovered.
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