Travel
When you travel, all you want to think about is getting to your destination as soon as possible so you can let the fun begin. But if you don't travel a lot, you might not be aware of all the things that can go wrong to make your trip a disaster before you get where you're going.
Airplane Travel
The number one rule of airline travelis to keep your bags with you at all times. Even then, however, things can go awry. There are so many different scams people use to steal your luggage and get to your valuables. Many of these scams involve strangers distracting you while another person then takes off with your bag. However, if you keep your focus on your bags and/or personal belongings, you can reduce the risk of being robbed when you travel by plane. Keep these tips in mind at the airport and on the plane:
- When you're checking a bag and getting your ID out, keep your carry-on bag between your feet with a slight "grip" on it.
- If you have to get your credit card out, keep it covered by your hand as much as possible so nobody can videotape your credit card number, signature or that three-digit number on the back of the card.
- An old scam was stealing women's purses from the hooks in the stalls of women's restrooms, but most airport restrooms now install hooks at a level that's impossible for someone outside the stall to reach.
- Try to store your carry-on luggage in an overhead bin that's close to your seat, and when people are grabbing their bags from the overhead bins at the end of the flight, keep sight of yours.
- Of course--and we hope this is obvious--never leave your bags unattended.
- Get yourbag from the baggage claim area as soon as possible. Many thieves take bags that are unclaimed as their own if there's nobody there to check baggage claim tickets.
Once You Arrive
Ah, you've made it. You finally get where you're going and you've made it to your hotel without incident thus far. But if you're in a different area, you may not know which areas of town should be avoided. That being said, you should check with the hotel's concierge or the front desk for advice about that, as well as the safest way to see the sites and the areas to avoid. Not only will this be a safer idea, but these people actually live in the city you're visiting, so their travel tips can save you time and hassle.
If your travel plans are part of a cruise, you're probably pretty safe onboard the ship, but to be safe once you've arrived at the ships ports, knowledge is your best weapon. Many locals focus on tourists and they've got thievery down to an art form. Follow these safety tips to be prepared:
- If you carry a purse, strap it across your body and keep a hand on it at all times. (Many thieves have developed a "cut and run" system that involves cutting the straps of a purse and running away with it. It's best not to even carry a purse with you if you don't absolutely have to.
- If you're carrying money, keep it in different pockets. One might get picked but the other most likely will not. An under-the-clothing style wallet is a good option.
- If you prefer to carry a waist pack, make sure you loop it through your belt loops.
- Try not to flash your cash or wear expensive jewelry. If you do either of these things, you're setting yourself up to be a target.
Remember, most ships have a safe in each cabin. Use it to store valuables when you go ashore to protect yourself from theft.
The tips for safe travel on this page have barely scratched the surface of things to be aware of when traveling. Whether you're flying, going on a cruise, traveling by train...whatever, do a little research first to make sure your trip is a safe one.
All material copyright © 2006 Outdoor Safety USA. All rights reserved.
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