Avoid Becoming a Victim with These Travel Safety Tips

By Doris Gallan –

No one wants to think about it, but it can happen to any traveler: having your holiday ruined by the theft of your valuables. There are steps you can take, however, to prevent thieves and pickpockets from targeting you in the first place and making it extra difficult for them to succeed should they try to steal from you.

1. Leave the fanny pack at home or only carry non-valuable items such as sunglasses and tissues in it.
2. Always be aware of the people around you especially if they seem to be watching you and your valuables or following you as you walk around.
3. Only wear modest jewelry. Even fake high-end watches and gold might look real and catch the eye of pickpockets and thieves.
4. Keep your camera out of sight when not in use—especially if it’s an obviously expensive one. Smaller cameras should be stored in your front pocket, not in a coat pocket or backpack.
5. Split up your money in several locations (pockets, money belt, shoes, etc.) but make sure that all of these are on your body. When you pay for something, take out a small amount of cash – not everything you have – in case someone is watching you.
6. Keep your credit cards and passport separate from your money. This way if you’re robbed the thieves get only some of your valuables.
7. When you rent a car, reserve one with a car alarm and a separate trunk (not a hatchback).
8. 8. Wear your daypack in front of you when walking on the street, in subways and buses or at anytime someone can walk up behind you and pickpocket you.

Doris Gallan is the author of The Boomers’ Guide to Going Abroad to Travel | Live | Give | Learn and a travel coach. She traveled to 50+ countries on all seven continents. Free travel secrets, travel-tested tips booklets and coaching services are available at http://www.babyboomerstraveling.com/.