Prevent crime while traveling

Any kind of traveling can be stressful if you can’t take your safety for granted. What makes it less fun to do is when you unknowingly make yourself a sitting target for crooks and petty criminals. To avoid such situations, you can follow the tips given here and put yourself into a safer position.

Getting ready to travel:

List your passport, credit card, and traveler’s check numbers and your s well as plane, train, or bus ticket numbers. Photocopy them together, if you like.
Before going to a new place, write to the city’s local chamber of commerce for its local information and maps. Now, check with your travel agent for places to stay and things to do there.
Don’t take all your cards or papers that you usually carry in your bag.
Deal in traveler’s checks and keep the slip with serial numbers away from the checks. Alternatively, use credit cards.

Handling your money:

Don’t put all your money, checks and credit cards together but divide them all over your bag.
Keep small change and cash readily available for immediate use. For men, it is easier to carry their wallets in their front trouser pocket.

While traveling by road:

Before setting off on a long-distance car drive, have it seen to by a good mechanic.
Be subtle about your departure by loading your car in the garage next to you so that no one knows you’re going to be out of town.
Don’t get your car or camper ready the night before you leave as it means you’re getting ready to go somewhere and can be a sign for thieves to attack your car and home.
Have an eye on your surroundings.
Before getting into your car, check its interiors.
Don’t be helpful to stranded motorists, instead go to the nearest phone booth and ring for help.
Lock your doors and windows always.
Don’t give a hitchhiker a lift.

While traveling by airplane
Protect your luggage by

Using only hard cases that can’t be ripped open but have sturdy handles and good locks.
Not packing valuables and fragile items as these are sitting ducks for theft.
Never leaving your luggage unattended.
Displaying only your initials and business address on your luggage tags-no more details.
Including these details on your carry-on luggage-the name and telephone number of someone to call in an emergency, a copy of your birth certificate if you are traveling abroad and must replace your passport; and the policy number of your health insurance agency.

At a hotel

Look out for typical stage managed accidents like someone spilling a drink on you-often this is only to divert your attention from your watching your luggage.
No matter how odd it looks, you must carry your purse close to your body and your wallet in your inside front pocket or in a pouch under your clothes.
Make a list of the contents of your luggage and carry it separately.

There are many ways in which you can prevent being the victim of a crime. Time and experience are the best teachers, but it is necessary to keep your wits about you when away from home.