Tips on securing valuables before you go on holidays
Traveling is one of the best ways to unwind, relax both your body and soul, and simply have a great time. No matter how thrilling it can be, it’s also a bit stressful because there are various things to think about.
When we say things, we refer to items like a passport, cash, mobile phones, cameras, or any other valuables. They can easily get lost, even in the place you live in, let alone when traveling to another city or country.
That’s precisely one of the reasons why you should do everything you can to secure them. If you want to take those extra steps to ensure that everything is properly protected, then check out our tips below.
Smart And Practical Ways For Securing Valuables Before Traveling
Consider Self Storage
The truth is, you can never be too safe when you’re traveling, hence it’s of huge importance to find a way to secure the items you value the most. One of the best solutions when it comes to it is self-storage.
This option has become very popular among travelers over the past few years. Why is that? Well, that’s because something like this provides you with secured protection, and let’s not forget to remember the fact that it’s inexpensive.
Unfortunately, burglaries have become pretty common, consequently, you need to find a space (besides your home) that is one hundred percent safe. These facilities offer 24-hour access so you can get your possessions whenever you like.
So where can you find the most reliable self-storage unit? If you’re looking for a secure storage unit then you should first browse the web to see whether there are companies in your area that offer this service. Luckily, these companies are pretty widespread which means that you won’t have any difficulties finding them.
Minimize What You Take With You And Don’t Forget To Lock The Rest
One of the best ways to protect your possessions when traveling to a different city/country is by leaving them at home. Of course, there are some things that simply must be taken with you. In these types of situations, make sure not to draw too much attention to yourself, meaning that you shouldn’t be wearing pricey jewelry, clothes, etc.
Whenever you can, be sure to keep your stuff on you, or at least within sight. Also, you should avoid leaving your possessions unattended in public places, such as beaches, restaurants, bars, etc.
If you leave them unattended, you will increase your chances of being robbed. Furthermore, it would be advisable to put your bag in a locker if you’re staying in a hotel, motel, or hostel. Of course, this refers to situations when you’re going outside.
If you’re staying at a hotel that comes with a safe, then be sure to utilize it. Just don’t forget to get your things before you head home. Whenever you go outside, you should use a TSA-approved lock for your suitcase or backpack. Employing a backpack whose compartment zipper rests against the back is one of the best ways to keep all your items safe from burglars.
Is There Anything Else That You Can Do When Securing Valuables?
Utilise High-Quality Purses And Backpacks
It’s safe to say that a lot of travelers have a tendency to rely on backpacks or purses whenever they are traveling. But don’t forget that precisely these things, especially bags are oftentimes targeted by thieves. Namely, these people (particularly those who have a plethora of experience when it comes to stealing) can easily unzip their pockets and steal whatever they want without you even realizing it.
One of the best ways to keep your bag (and everything that’s inside) secure is to be aware of the things you’ve put in it. Be sure not to put anything that’s too valuable in any pockets that can easily be accessed. Moreover, if your wallet or passport is not too close to your body, then you should put them in the inner pocket of the bag because that’s going to make things more difficult in terms of stealing.
Luckily, there are so many amazing bags on the market that were designed to keep all your possessions safe. Further, you can always opt for the anti-theft purses, which are typically made out of slash-proof material and come with a cable-reinforced strap that cannot be torn from the body.
Research Before You Go Is Important
It doesn’t matter whether we’re talking about this topic or any other, generally speaking, whenever you go to a different place, you should always ensure you did your research, especially when it comes to this.
This is a simple, yet effective way to keep all your valuables safe. Why is this important to do? Well, keep in mind that if you get yourself familiar with the most common pickpocketing methods and scams in a certain destination, then you will lower your chances of being robbed when traveling. So first things first, you should do your homework and try to figure out which areas of the place you’re visiting are considered unsafe (both during the day and night) so you can avoid going there.
Now, you shouldn’t perceive this whole process (conducting research) as something that’s tiring and boring. It doesn’t matter whether you enjoy it or not, you should know that it’s simply a part of your pre-trip planning and something that has to be done if you want to be careful. Plus, with the help of research, you will also collect some interesting and beneficial information concerning the country’s history, culture, architecture, tradition, Surfers Paradise Attractions, highlights, and many other things. So this just goes to show that with this you will kill two birds with one stone.
Let’s Not Forget Travel Insurance
This is for sure one of the most essential tips when it comes to this topic and something that should certainly be taken into account. It doesn’t matter whether you are traveling locally or internationally, it’s of huge importance to buy travel insurance.
Remember that even the trips that are planned perfectly can be hit by some unexpected things. That’s precisely one of the reasons why it’s crucial to have travel insurance.
Namely, it is a tool that’s going to give you peace of mind, knowing that you are covered no matter what occurs. Now, if God forbid, you do become a victim of theft, then ensure to immediately go to the police and report this.
If something like this happens, then (by virtue of travel insurance) you’ll be able to either replace the thing that has been stolen or at least reimburse you for some of the value. More importantly, don’t forget to keep receipts of any type of out-of-pocket costs incurred as a result of this incident.
Use Tracking Devices Like Air Tags
If you’ve never heard of it before, then maybe now is an ideal time to get yourself familiar with it. Most of us tend to bring our electronic gadgets with us and we all know how expensive they can be. If that’s the case with you, then you should rely on the Find My app to track all your devices or Air Tags. This app is intended for Apple users and can be utilized to track AirPod, iPhone, iPad, Mac, and many others.
On the other hand, if you’re an Android user, then you can download Google Find My Device app. If by any chance you lose some of your belongings, you can use some of these applications to find your devices on a map or play a sound that’s going to help you find them.
Additionally, if some of your gadgets end up in the wrong hands, then you can just delete all your personal data remotely or simply lock it down. Furthermore, if you’re an Apple user, then you can attach an AirTag to your keys and bags to keep track of where they are.
This way, you will know if your bag has potentially missed a connecting flight. Moreover, if your backpack is exactly where you left it (at a restaurant, bar, or even in the hands of a thief), then you can play sound so you can locate your keys.
Keep An Eye On Your Luggage
A vast majority of people think that the only way they will lose their baggage is if it’s lost at the airport. But sadly, that’s not the only cause of this occurrence. Namely, baggage theft is also something that happens quite frequently.
Therefore, you should always be aware of your baggage. Do not ever keep it out of sight. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in a hotel, at the airport, or anywhere else, keep an eye on it at all times. If you want something that’s pretty secure, then you should buy suitcases that do not come with any pockets on the outside. Not only will something like this prevent thieves from targeting you, but it will also keep all your items safe while you are traveling. Also, be sure to properly mark your baggage so it’s not taken by anyone else accidentally. Another thing that you can do when it comes to your luggage is to opt for smart locks when you’re not using them.
Although something like this is not going to keep a persistent thief out of your bag, however, those who are not as determined will quickly move on to another target once they realize how “complex” your situation is.
The Right Gear Is A Must
If you want to avoid being pickpocketed while traveling, then you must definitely obtain the right gear, unless you want to put your mobile phone and money in your bra. But let’s all agree that that option is far from convenient, plus, we are not sure that men would wear a bra just to keep their belongings safe.
That’s precisely why you should opt for something that’s way more practical, such as top-notch safety gear. If you’re not sure what includes it, then take a look at the list below:
- Money belts
- Pickpocket-proof backpacks and bags
- Lockers
- Pickpocket-proof pieces of clothing, for instance, shirts, scarves, pants, etc.
Do Not Take Huge Amounts Of Money With You
It’s widely known that when people are traveling they love to spend their cash on different things, such as souvenirs, postcards, museums, different city tours, food, drinks, and many other things. This means that they need to frequently take out their wallet in order to pay for something. Since you cannot predict if somebody will try to rob you, then one of the best things that you can do to prevent losing a substantial amount of money is to keep just a small amount of cash in your wallet.
But what are you going to do if you need a large amount of money? Well, it’s actually quite simple. Just because you’re carrying money with you, it doesn’t mean that all of it should be put in your wallet.
There are numerous places where you can put your cash, for example, some of it in your bag, then in a hidden pocket, you can put it in another packet of your bag, and of course, the rest should be left at the hotel/motel/hostel. Bear in mind that this is one of the best ways to minimize the risk of losing all your money in one go. Of course, if you want to further enhance your protection, then just go through the pickpocket-proof clothing that we mentioned above.
Money Belt
This refers to people who are sleeping on a bus, train, or any other place that’s crowded with people. In these instances, be sure to keep all your cash, credit cards, passport, and camera memory cards on you. For these purposes, be sure to acquire a money belt.
Traveling is one of the most exciting things in life, hence nobody should let something like pickpocketing ruin this experience. If you share your opinion, then be sure to implement some of the tips shared today.
