More Vacation Safety Tips

More Ways to Avoid Theft on Vacation

August 19, 2010 3:16 pm
by Jaclyn Liechti published in the
Smarter Traveler

Our recent story on how to avoid theft when you're on vacation garnered some helpful reader tips about keeping your valuables safe when you travel. In fact, smart vacationing begins before you even shut the door. Dinek writes, "Don't 'advertise' on Facebook and other sites that you're going to be away from home." Thieves can use this information to target your home while you're away, so if you do want to brag about your travails, be sure to check your security settings to make sure only close friends and family know you'll be away.

While on the road, there are many steps you can take to make yourself less suceptible to petty theft. "Be careful where you park," writes Millicent, "We look for busy streets with lots of people around and good lighting if we have to return in the dark." If you didn't drive your own car, Joanne's advice will come in handy: "In many locations rental cars are very easy for local thieves to identify, so always learn how the door locks work before you leave the rental office. Also, keep your purse or carry-on in the trunk, not on the floor or seat of the vehicle."

Pickpockets are a common menace in popular tourist destinations, but with a little prep you can impede sticky fingers. "Here is a simple one," says Travelingprof. "Wrap your wallet with one of [those] thick rubber bands. Why? Have you ever tried to get a wallet out of your pocket with one of those thick rubber bands wrapped around it?" Reader dinek recommends a money pouch or belt worn under your clothes, and also has advice for those traveling out of the country. "Leave [your] passport in [the] cruise ship/hotel safe and carry [a] photocopy ... Just carry your driver's license as picture identification." This way, if your information is stolen, you still have the necessary documents to return to the country.