Travel safety is becoming more and more common to vacationers domestically and internationally. Concerns range from flight safety to the security of hotel rooms. Most of these concerns are escalated based upon what travelers see on TV or read in the newspaper. Many of these concerns can be addressed by simply planning ahead.
Airport Safety
Most airport theft can be avoided by closely watching your bags. Thieves know that most people carry their valuables in a carry-on bag, including cash. Both inside and outside the airport you should pay attention to your surroundings and watch your bags closely. Leave your luggage with a traveling companion if you must go to the restroom or to a ticket counter. If you are alone, take luggage with you. Be aware of diversions too. Many thieves work in teams. One may try to divert your attention by asking you a question while an accomplice goes to work.
Be sure to watch your pockets too. Pickpockets are highly common in airports and other congested places. It is best to carry your wallet in your front pocket or in a jacket pocket. Most pickpockets can see the bulge in your back pants pocket and may target you. If they don't see it, they are less likely to come after you.
Last but not least, if you are traveling with small children keep them close. If one has to go to the restroom, go with them, even if it means that all of your children must go at the same time. Safety comes in numbers.
Hotel Safety
Today, deadbolts and peepholes are standard in most hotel rooms. Still, there are other things you should consider. Call the hotel manager and ask if they have had any problems with crime. Tell them you will be staying there soon and would like to know of any precautions you should take. When possible, avoid rooms that open directly onto parking lots as these rooms can allow would-be thieves to monitor your comings and goings. Keep your valuables in the safe if the room has one. If not, try to hide valuables in places where thieves would not likely look. If the item is small, try placing it behind the TV or under magazines. If the item is big, place the item under a desk chair and drape a towel over the back of the chair.
Once you check into your room, familiarize yourself with where the emergency exits are in case of fire. Be sure to show your children, too. If your child knows how to dial 911, let them know that they may have to dial 9-911 or 8-911 in order to dial outside of the hotel. Be sure to also show them how to dial "0" for the front desk.
Rental Car Safety
When you pickup your rental car be sure to ask the customer service agent which parts of town to stay away from. Avoiding high crime areas is one of the most important precautions any traveler can take. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time is a recipe for disaster.
Try not to look like a tourist. Keep your Disneyworld keepsakes and travel guides in the trunk until you need them. Most tourists are targeted based upon what they have on and what they are carrying. Try to blend in as much as possible.
Avoid rentals that are too flashy. You may want to pass on the bright yellow convertible. These cars stick out like sore thumbs. Instead, try to rent cars that are unobtrusive and blend in. It's not a bad idea to bypass the car wash either. Dusty cars are often overlooked by thieves. They tend to go after the clean and flashy cars.
Child Safety
Using an index card, write out each child's name, your name and the hotel address and phone number in case they become lost. Put it in your child's pocket and explain that it is not to be removed unless they become lost. Be sure to keep an up-to-date photo of your child with you at all times. If your child becomes lost, the police will need to see this.
Keep a first aid kit in your suitcase. The kit should include band-aids, gauze and cotton wool, adhesive tape or ace bandages, insect repellent and other supplies based upon your medical condition or your child's. If you or your child has prescription medication, get a copy of the prescription from the doctor or the pharmacy and explain that you are traveling and will need a backup copy just in case. Be sure to also write down their phone numbers and full names in case of an emergency.
Credit Card Precautions
Do not travel with all of your credit cards. Bring only one or two. In case one becomes lost or stolen, be sure to have the credit card company's phone number and the credit card number on a separate sheet of paper so that you can easily have card cancelled. If you bring two cards, be sure that you have one card and your companion has the other one.