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.
6 comments
Brad, thanks for an article which is a good reminder about how to travel safely. And having done it my self I can definitely recommend that it is never a good idea to have to queue up in the police station anywhere!
On a previous trip to Europe our camera was stolen – I had it over my shoulder on the strap, and next time I went to take a photo it wasn’t there…
Great tips! Losing your valuables during a trip is such a hassle!
I personally travel with only a 30 litre backpack. Not to sound cool and say how light I can travel, but for the simple fact that after over 15 years of backpacking around, it is very practical. You will always have your bag next to you on public transport and not out of sight etc. And I have a 10 litre shoulder bag to use around town, which is less likely to have things pinched when walking in crowded places as you can flop it to your front.
I’m super jealous Jonny! I’ve downgraded (or should I dare say upgraded) from a 65 litre to a 48 litre over the past couple of years. I’m working on packing less and hope to get down to something around a 40 during my next big trip after Asia!
These are some very good tips especially for anyone looking to travel. I never carry anything too pricey on my person while traveling (except for my laptop). God forbid I ever get that stolen but I try to keep it as well packed as possible.
Another good tip I found was to carry an extra “fake” wallet on you with a few fake or expired credit cards and just a couple of dollars worth of cash. This way, if you do get held at gun/knife point, you can simply hand the thief this fake wallet and they’ll take off running only to find out later they got away with scraps! 😉
Thanks for the article; simply “paying attention” is a great piece of advice. I lived in Buenos Aires, Argentina for 5 months and before I arrived people had me a little freaked out about theft. In reality, everyone I came across was super friendly and I never ran into any issues. The key for me was being aware and only carrying what I was going to use that day.
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