Traveller's Security Tips

So it's vacation time again, and with only a few hours to go before you head off to the airport, everyone's thoughts are focused on the great times that lay ahead of you. This of course is completely natural and is part of the fun and excitement of vacation planning. However, unless you have taken a few simple steps prior to boarding the aeroplane, you may find that thieves and fraudsters can quickly take the shine off your vacation experience.

Security concerns for you and your family both prior to and during your vacation are not exactly the most exciting or inviting trains of thought, when compared to theme parks, sunshine and the chance to finally meet Mickey Mouse, but they are vitally important and should be considered extremely carefully.

I should stress that this article is not meant to be alarmist in any way, and I should also point out that the vast majority of vacationers travelling to Florida, (and there are many millions each and every year) do so without any problems whatsoever. However, I am a great believer in the philosophy "Forearmed Is Forewarned", and therefore, as a result, I have included below my top 20 tips to help ensure a secure vacation experience.

Now ordinarily, I'm not a "listy" type person, but there are so many things that can be so easily overlooked in the excitement of vacation planning that it's probably easier in terms of clarity to provide you with one on this occasion. So here goes :

1) Ensure your home is fully locked and secured, and any alarms are set, before you leave the house. Remember to unplug and switch off unnecessary electrical appliances.

2) Set lights and / or audio equipment such as a radio on a timer switch, to give the impression that there is someone occupying your house whilst you are on
vacation.

3) Organise a friend or neighbour to keep an eye on your home whilst you are away, and to check that mail or junk mail is not cluttering up your letterbox. If you have a glass front door or a porch where mail can be seen collecting, get someone to move the mail inside your home on a daily basis, or take it away for safe keeping until you return. Don't forget to cancel milk and newspaper deliveries too.

4) Provide trusted friends, family and neighbours with contact details, so that you can be reached in the case of an emergency.

5) Where possible, park your car in a driveway or better still in a locked garage. Don't forget to set your car alarm or immobiliser if you have one.

6) Take photocopies of your passports, driving licenses and other important documentation, including insurance policies and theme park tickets, in the event that the originals are lost or stolen.

7) Whilst suitcase labels showing your outbound destination are of no real interest to a thief, DO NOT attach labels to your cases which show your "return" or "home" address. Thieves are known to mingle amongst the crowds at airports, making a note of this information. As you can't be in two places at the same time, it only takes a quick phone call from a thief to one of his cohorts and you could be being burgled, before you even set foot on the aeroplane ! Instead clearly write your home address and flight details, dates etc. on a large sheet of paper and place it INSIDE your suitcase. If your case goes missing and has no identifying labels on the outside, airline security will open your baggage and safely discover your details.

8) With heightened security at airports, NEVER leave any of your baggage unattended, even for a few moments… you could trigger a huge security alert, and as a result, your luggage may be removed and destroyed.

9) Give your children a slip of paper which contains your name and / or mobile (cell) phone number. Teach your children that if they become lost or separated from you to go to a "trusted" adult, such as a policeman, security guard or shop assistant etc. and hand over your details.

10) If you have a digital camera, take a photograph of your children every morning so that you have a record of what they look like and what they are wearing. This will be invaluable should your children become lost or separated from you, and you need to report them as missing.

11) Take multiple copies of your travel insurance documents and ensure that you have a copy with you at all times. Keep one in the glove box of your rental car too.

12) Check before you book your accommodation that there is a safe provided for your valuables and documents. If you are staying in a villa or vacation home, check whether a fully monitored burglar and smoke alarm is fitted to the property. (And in case you are wondering, yes, we have all of these facilities at Dolphin Song Villa). If security is important to you and your family, don't compromise your safety and well being by booking accommodation that does not provide these amenities.

13) NEVER leave any items on display in your vacation rental car. It is an open invitation for thieves. Likewise, any portable Sat Nav equipment should be removed from the dashboard or front windscreen (windshield) when leaving your vehicle unattended. Remember ~ if you leave it… lock it !!!

14) If you are staying in a villa or vacation home, keep the doors (including the garage door) and windows locked at all times. Remember that if you are out on the pool deck of the property sunbathing or splashing about, you will be unlikely to hear anyone entering the property by a front entrance or open window.

15) Never leave valuables unattended on the pool deck of your villa or vacation home.

16) If the villa or vacation home you have booked is fitted with an alarm system, please remember to set it each and every time you leave the property. The owner will provide you with simple instructions, and a few seconds spent doing so will not only safeguard your families possessions, but also the owner's home too.

17) Never give out any information, personal information, or property details of your vacation villa or rental home either at the door or over the telephone. Use the door chain or security catch when answering the door to strangers.

18) NEVER carry large amounts of cash. Traveller's Cheques / Checks are a safe alternative, and will be replaced if lost or stolen. Remember however to keep a note of the cheque / check numbers (usually shown on your transaction receipt).

19) Avoid wearing lots of jewellery and expensive watches. It may attract unwanted attention from thieves.

20) Remember that if you have any imminent security concerns or feel yourself or your family to be in any danger or any other emergency situation, to immediately call the emergency services (fire, police, ambulance). In the U.K. dial 999 ~ In the U.S.A. dial 911.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, it is (unfortunately) necessary to draw your attention to the negative aspects of vacation and travelling security, in order to point out the positive steps you can take to minimise these scenarios, that are in reality simply common sense. So please… don't be alarmed. Take a calm rational approach to your families security whilst travelling and whilst enjoying yourself on vacation, and feel confident that by utilising the tips above, you can all sleep soundly at night.

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