Precious Cargo: How Travelers Can Keep Their Valuable Belongings Safe.

Story by Brad Quinn | Contributing Writer

It’s always a little tricky and nerve-racking to keep track of the various stuff you bring along on a vacation. When the stuff in question isn’t flip-flops or sunscreen but precious stones, the stakes get significantly higher.

The recent Cannes diamond theft may have given world travelers the impression that Pink Panthers and modern-day Robin Hoods are lurking around every corner. Chances are you won’t become the next target of the infamous Pink Panther jewel gang, unless you’re the kind of traveler who totes a briefcase stuffed with rare diamonds.

Even so, you may want to consider a few security precautions to help protect whatever valuables you do have.

7 ways to keep valuables secure while traveling

1. Pay attention to your purse. Or better yet, don’t even carry a purse. Professional thieves in large cities specialize in stealing purses; some pickpockets can cut out the bottom of the bag and catch everything that falls out before you even notice. If you plan to travel overseas, consider purchasing a money-belt where you can store your money and passport. It’s a lot easier for someone to snatch your purse than to hijack a money belt, especially if it’s worn under the clothing. If you must carry a purse, choose a small one with a strap that crosses over your body. Large, over-the-shoulder purses are much easier targets for thieves.

2. If you find yourself in the middle of a crowd, make sure you take extra care to keep a tight grip on your belongings. Many pickpockets prey on people in crowds, hoping victims will assume that the brush they just felt was an innocent klutz trying not to bump into them.

3. Also, you should also pay close attention to your belongings if a stranger asks you for directions on the streets. Sometimes this is just a distraction so that an accomplice can quickly lift your purse or wallet.

4. Pay attention to what you take. Avoid situations where you could lose your valuable belongings by not packing them in the first place. While you might imagine a scenario where you need to wear your great-aunt’s pearl necklace to an impromptu dinner with an archduke, this kind of occasion—while undeniably grand–isn’t very likely to take place. It is much more likely that you will be stuck worrying about the necklace for the entire trip. Don’t pack valuable items unless you absolutely need them.

5. Be careful in transit. Don’t hand over your bags to anyone, including a van or taxi driver who is offering to store them in the trunk. You should also never leave valuable items in plain sight in your rental car, no matter how safe the surrounding area may seem. If you absolutely have to leave something valuable in your car, make sure you conceal it well.

6. Pay attention to where you are. If you are planning to stay in a hostel, make sure your search the security rating before you get there (you can usually often find it pretty easily online). Many hostels feature shared rooms, which often have eight to twelve guests sleeping in the same space. This can be a perfectly safe option, but you will definitely want to secure your belongings before falling asleep. Some hostels have lockers in the room that you can use, and many hotels have safes.

7. Just pay attention. The best way you can protect your belongings is to simply stay alert and watch out for anything that seems suspicious. Don’t ever underestimate the power of instinct and always follow your gut feeling.

Travel safety may not be the most glamorous subject, but do you know what’s even less glamorous? Standing in line in a crowded police station to file a stolen goods report.

If you are planning to travel abroad for the first time, you may want to research personal security tips before your trip so that you will be better prepared. You international journey will be much more enjoyable if you follow a few simple guidelines to help keep your belongings (including your diamonds, if that’s how you roll) as secure as possible.

What’s your best tip for keeping valuables safe on the road?

About the author:  Brad Quinn is an avid traveler and sports enthusiast. When he isn’t globetrotting, Brad is a copywriter and freelance blogger. You can find him on Twitter at @BradJQuinn.

*Photo by roberthuffstutter via Flickr Creative Commons.