Travel Safety Tips

12th November 2008
To those who travels a lot, safety besides having fun is an utmost aspect that need to be taken care of. We don't want to come back without wallet or perhaps few thousand lesser in our banks right? Thieves tend to be opportunistic, so it is in your interest not to make it easy fo them to rip you off.
The rule of thumb: Always be alert. You don't want to be paranoid. You want to be prepared. Here are Top 10 Security tips for travellers:

#1: Arrangement Before Setting Off For Vacation
Make sure all your windows and doors are locked properly. Suspend newspaper subscription and don't let it slip to the dry-cleaner, the cable guy and anyone else who delivers products or services to your home that you'll be away for a week or so. Sometimes people who have access to your home may sell that information or in other meaning, betray you.

#2: Put a unique identifying tag on your luggage
Ever go to the airport and see a bag with a sweatsock tied around the handle? There's method to the madness. Most baggage today is black. Sometime people will pick up your luggage by accident or perhaps even intend to steal it. A coloured or patterned bag, or one with a highly visible identifying tag will help you quickly pick you luggage out from the bags surrounding it.

#3: Make use of your carry-on/hand-carry-luggage
Try to put all your valuebles and at least one change clothes into your hand-carry-luggage in case you lost your other check-in luggage.

#4: Reserve your laptop screen for your eyes only
A quick glance by a dedicated thief while you are using your laptop will reveal enough information, including your name, address or other sensitive data for them to strike. The chances of this happening is small but the ability to protect your private information is priceless.

#5: Don't talk too loud in public area especially in HOTELs
When checking into a hotel, speaking softly will sometime save you and your valuables. There was once a guy who broke into hotel rooms by standing next to a guest when they are checking in. He listen for their name and room number and then returns to the desk 10 minutes later. "I'm Dino girl-friend" she'll say. "June. I left my purse in the room. Would you mind if i went and get it?" Often the security guard will walk you there but you will say when you arrive, "He has a blue samsonite bag". Sure enough, he does, a fact you're well aware of since you watched him checked in."I hit the security guard with $20" and now he has access to your room.

#6: Cut up your room key
Anyone can run through a device and retrieve the information that you gave the hotel - your name, address, credit card number - to steal your identity.
Normally i will not return the room card or perhaps just cut it into half. Some hotels would want you to return the key card to them and if not, they will treat it as lost and would ask you to pay for it. So what should you do when you encounter this kinda of issue? Well, ask them to delete the information with you as their witness.

#7: Use the room safe
Even if hotel employees are beyond reproach, you don't want to make it easy for anyone to come in and grab your valuables right....? Cleaning staff frequently leave the doors open and sometime, they are not even in the room. Its not save to leave your things lying around if that is the case. A person can even walk in and say "Would you excuse me a minute" and next thing you know, all of them walk out of the room as you have instructed thinking your are the room owner.

#8: Look for exit
Whenever you are in a building, whether a hotel or conference centre, make a mental note of the exit location for in case. You got nothing to lose on this one.

#9: Keep your cash close
Pickpockets are everywhere and don't think for a second you will get away from them all. They thrive on tourist not to mention the locals. You may want to wear a money-belt under your clothing or at the very least, keep your wallets in your front pocket. As for women, wear your purse over your shoulder and securely tucked under your arm. Not much is going to protect you from a determined thief. So, keep yourself update of your surrounding at all time.

#10: Don't do things you normally do at home
Don't simply talk to any stranger who approach you. Just say "Thanks" with a smile and walk away. Don't accept drink in the bar unless you watch the chain of custody from the bartender to you. Implement a buddy system and by all means, check the crime date of that area before going. Grab a cab if you are going out after dark.