An ounce of prevention boosts travel safety
Lucinda Alvarez stood last year in the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, packed into the ever-present crowd and totally absorbed by Rembrandt’s “Flora.” She was absorbed until someone bumped against her — just enough to raise her suspicions. Alarmed, the La Quinta resident stepped aside and checked her purse. No wonder it seemed lighter. Missing were her wallet and the Nikon 35mm she had saved all summer to buy.
Lesson learned, travel experts say. Alvarez should not have carried a purse in an area swarming with people. She should have avoided carrying a wallet at all. A form of identification, a credit card and money could have been slipped in her front pants pocket or a money belt, and the camera should have been on a strap around her neck.
Those two steps can ensure safer travel. Here are more.
Leave valuables at home
Theft is rampant in many parts of the world visited by tourists. American tourists are prime targets, especially when they’re jetlagged, lost and juggling items like backpacks, phones and suitcases.
Keep a low profile, and leave your jewelry and name-brand handbags and luggage at home. Don’t advertise what you’re carrying or draw attention to yourself. Wear a money belt, and keep it hidden securely inside your clothing.
Stash money, credit card and passport in a money belt. Better yet, carry a copy of your passport, a credit card and money in a front pants pocket or a zipped inside jacket pocket. The lighter you can travel, the better off you are. And keep your cell phone out of sight.
Pay attention
“Be very aware of what’s going on around you,” says Lois Anderson, owner of Anderson Travel in Palm Springs and Indian Wells.
When you arrive in a new area, get to know your surroundings. If you stop for a break, don’t leave your personal items unattended. Keep them strapped on or around you. Stay alert, walk briskly, keep your head up and check around you at all times. Develop these travel habits, and they’ll soon become second nature.
During sightseeing jaunts, leave everything you can in your hotel room’s safe, or your locked suitcase. If the room has no safe, ask at the front desk.
Be alert for scams and commotion
It isn’t unusual for crafty individuals to create disturbances to distract tourists. If you see a sudden commotion, grab your belongings and be aware of anyone getting close enough to pick your pocket or nab your backpack. You don’t have to be paranoid, but be aware and vigilant at all times.
Buy travel insurance
“You should always buy travel insurance,” says Anderson.
The main reason is illness.
“I’ve heard so many sad stories of people who become desperately ill, and they have to cancel their trip, and they don’t get their money back.”
Policies vary, so discuss options with a travel agent or do your own research. Always read the fine print in every contract to make sure you’re getting the coverage you need.
Copy key documents
When traveling, it’s a good idea to make at least two copies of all of your important documents, especially your passport. Take one with you and leave the other with family or friends back home. If your copies are lost or stolen, you’ll be able to have the information faxed to you.
Create habits
Daily habits and routines are a great way to prevent items from becoming lost or stolen. Create a habit of packing and unpacking your bags the same way each time so you’ll know if everything is in place. Recheck your hotel room every time you leave.
Credit cards and money
Credit cards are convenient and usually secure, but sometimes it’s best to pay with cash to keep credit card information from being misused. But don’t count your money in public. Handle money exchanges and cash withdrawals in a secure place. Use local currency in small denominations.
If you plan to use a credit card, call the company before you leave and tell them where you are going.
Resources
Stay up to date about travel warnings world-wide by visiting the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov/travel. Keep in touch with your travel agent, check out books from the library or roam the Internet for travel safety tips.