Posts Tagged ‘ easy target ’

 
Sunday, April 27th, 2008

When traveling many things can and do go wrong so following a few simple rules could prevent many of those problems fellow travelers encounter on the road. Ok, problems occur from time to time but if you can prevent them in the first place, travel can be a less stressful experience where you may end up out of pocket. At the extreme end you may have to spend time at the local Police station giving statements and filling out reports. Your common sense is still the most trusted method of traveling safely so whether you are just walking down a street or dining out, if you feel a situation does not feel right then act accordingly.

People often neglect to trust their instincts in a situation which can lead them into unnecessary trouble. A big mistake made by many tourists is they take everything of value with them which makes it very easy for thieves and pickpockets to steal their whole identity in one go. You should only ever take just what you need for the day and safely store the remainder (essential travel documents and cash) in the room or hotel safe. One tip that has saved many travelers hassle is placing money in various locations so it makes it harder for thieves and pickpockets to get it all at once.

The thing is that it is not uncommon for married people to share the same credit card account, but a piece of traveling safely advice says that two separate credit card accounts should be used; if something should happen to one of them, there is another one to fall back on. One simple trick to stop a bag thief is to place the strap over the head and across the chest as opposed to on the shoulder where it is easy to grab. Try to be aware of where you are when you stroll around and don’t make an easy target for the snatch thieves on the back of bikes. Criminals love tourists as they are usually considered easy prey and we all underestimate how very proficient they are at relieving people of their personal belongings.

It is often our arrogance that lets us become victims of theft and other deceptions because we do not believe that anyone will pull the wool over our eyes but this is how the criminals earn their living. Carrying a small backpack can be a good idea as it can be secured with a small padlock which although will not deter the determined thief, will certainly slow down and prevent the majority from trying their luck. Some people are always losing their keys which isn’t a good idea when you are on vacation so a quick remedy is to buy a D-shackle or similar and attach it your belt or backpack with the keys attached. If you are a man that keeps his wallet in his back pocket, change this to your front pocket; likewise women should close their handbag because all this has a deterrent factor. The majority of problems could be avoided if people didn’t let their guard down, which is common on vacation; if you can remember to travel safely, it won’t halt your enjoyment but could stop many untoward events from happening.