Vacations are meant to be fun and relaxing. Preparing for a family vacation requires a lot of planning. Planning can decrease the chances of becoming a victim of a crime. It is best for you and your family to do all you can to blend in with the crowd.
Here are some tips for keeping you and your family safe when planning your next holiday vacation.
1. Before you go, make sure to clean out your wallet or purse; take only essential credit cards. Do you really need all your credit cards on your trip? Go through your wallet or purse and decide what you really need to take. Leaving some behind may save you money and headaches during and after your vacation.
2. Carry your purse close to your body, or wallet in an inside front pocket. Thieves know how to grab and run with your purse and can skillfully take your wallet with ease from your back pocket. Make a point of securing these when out on a day trip or touring a town or city square.
3. Consider wearing a money pouch under your clothes. Wearing a money pouch could save you headaches and minimize your chance of getting robbed.
4. Pack as lightly as possible. Lots of heavy, cumbersome bags will slow you down and make you more vulnerable to getting robbed. Expensive, designer luggage can draw unneeded attention to your belongings. Pack your things in inconspicuous bags.
5. Carry-on anything you may need or of value i.e., medication, jewellery. Not only will you be making yourself less of a target but you will have your medication and valuables with you if your luggage gets lost.
6. Don't display expensive jewellery, cameras, bags and other valuable items. Again you will be not highlighting the fact that you have juicy items to steal.
7. Stick to well-lighted, well-travelled streets at all times. This common sense tip is so often ignored. Remember, would you want your mother or child walking those back alleys to save you a couple of minutes?
8. Always lock your car, and leave valuables out of sight, preferably locked in the trunk. If a thief is walking by and peering into your car, the old saying out of sight out of mind will work with your valuables.
9. Don't leave jewellery, money or other items lying around the hotel room when you go out. Not even for a short while. Lock them in the room or hotel safe. Do not leave them unattended at poolside or the beach either.
10. Make sure rooms are securely locked and chains fastened wherever possible. Thieves like to target hotel rooms that are not secured.
11. Do not leave room keys lying out at the swimming pool. Leaving your room keys in plain view is an invitation for a thief.
12. Always lock the door while in the room. Also you should know who is knocking before you answer the door. If they say they are from the hotel, confirm with the hotel operator that they are in fact from the hotel.