Home Security Tips:

You have many options for your home that ensure it will be safe when you travel.  Here are just a few to consider:

• Exterior doors should have deadbolts with keyed locks.
• Windows should have locks installed.
• A monitored alarm system is usually a good idea and especially valuable when you are traveling and may not be able to be easily reached.
• It is wise to have a friend, neighbor, or relative check your house while you are away.  You never know what can go wrong and you don’t want a disaster when you get home like a flood basement.
• Always leave a copy of your itinerary and telephone numbers where you can be reached if an emergency arises, with someone you trust.
• Camera DVR Surveillance Systems to protect and monitor both inside and outside the home are now available.  They allow monitoring by you remotely, anywhere in the world, through your laptop or cell phone with an internet connection.  If you are interested in this concept visit our affiliate by taking the link on this page.

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Travel Lodging:

You want to be certain that you will feel safe and secure in the lodging you choose for your travel, whether it is a hotel, motel, condo, house or cruise ship room. The stringency of your security measures will vary with the type of lodging you choose but certain precautions should always be taken to ensure your safety and the safety of your possessions.  

•  At check-in, take the time to ask the manager about safety precautions.  Do they have locks that record entry into the rooms?  Do they have safety deposit boxes in the rooms or at the front desk?  What other safety measures does the facility have in place?  Is it safe to walk outside the facility at night?  Are there any areas that should be avoided in the city?  Answers to these questions will assist you in deciding what you need to do to protect yourself.
• At motels, we prefer rooms that are not on the first floor since they are easier for criminals to access.  We also do not stay in motels that have external entry doors (i.e.; open outside rather than to an interior hallway) or easily accessible balconies.
• Place jewelry, important papers, currency, airline tickets, passports, visas and others valuables in the hotel safe deposit box or in your room safe.
• When you are in the room be sure to use you safety lock (chain or deadbolt).  Remember that others have a key to your room (maids, maintenance staff, etc.).  Although most hotels now provide you with an electronic key card which disables the previous guests from accessing your room, this is not always the case either.
• Consider the use of intruder alarms that sound if your door is opened.

These intruder alarms are a one time, inexpensive purchase and can be found through our affiliate by taking the links on this page.

Other General Security Measures:

 As we said, some of our tips are just common sense and here they are:

•  Keep an eye on your kids at all times.  There are predators out there (around the world) that are just waiting for you to let down your guard.  It is easy to be distracted when you are traveling and having fun but don’t forget this important point.  There are now devices like the GPS Personal Tracker that allow you to monitor and track the location of individuals at any time.  If you are interested in this new concept, check out the products offered by our affiliate by taking the link on this page.
• Watch out for scams.  They are everywhere.  All of the free lunches, free drinks, free shows, free lodging offers have ulterior motives and some of them can be very dangerous to your safety.
• Under no circumstances give out your social security number or bank account number and be very careful with whom you share your address or telephone number.
• Stay with your group if you are on group travel.  You may find an individual attempting to steer you away and if so be wary as there is certainly another motive here.
• Don’t do things alone whether it is walking, swimming or going out to eat or drink.
• In bars or night clubs, be extremely careful about what you drink.  Where possible have the drinks prepared in front of you so you can ensure nothing is being added that you did not request.
• Stay in well lit areas and avoid alleys or known bad parts of town.
• Park your car in well lit areas and lock all your car doors. Don’t leave valuables exposed inside your car, and instead lock them in the trunk.
• Before you take a taxi ask for an estimate of the fee and if he/she knows how to find your destination.  Sounds simple but without this step you may be driven around in circles with a very hefty bill at the end of the trip.  Look for cabs with company markings and take note of the name of the driver and the cab company.  You will be very thankful you have it if you leave something behind.   
• Don’t wear extravagant jewelry or really any jewelry you don’t want to loose.  It is too easy for a criminal to grab a necklace right off your neck and keep on running.
• Reduce your wallet and purse contents to the bear minimum and carry only what you need.  Carry your wallet inside your front pants pocket as it makes it much harder for the pickpockets to access.
• Consider purchasing special clothing or accessories to secure/hide your valuables such as your passport, credit cards, money or other keepsakes.

If you are interested in clothing accessories to secure/hide your valuables visit our Travel Clothes/Accessories page to get some ideas.