Understanding how to protect your valuables while traveling can help you avoid theft, delays in your trip schedule, and unnecessary insurance claims.
Traveling can be a fun and exciting journey, whether it’s to another city, another state, or another country. It is an opportunity to connect with new people, spread the message of Jesus, and learn about different cultures. Travel is truly a one-of-a-kind experience.Travel also carries some risk, especially if your trip is with a group of people. Keeping track of everyone and everything presents challenges. Without adequate planning and preparation, it is a set up for failure. Understanding how to protect your valuables while traveling can help you avoid theft, delays in your trip schedule, and unnecessary insurance claims.
How to Pack for Safe Travel
Keeping your valuables safe starts even before your journey. How and where you will be traveling affects how to properly pack your belongings. Will you travel by car, plane, train or a combination of these? Knowing your mode of transportation helps you decide what to take and where to stow it.It may be best to limit the number of valuables and devices you bring with you. Consider only taking what is necessary for your trip. For future reference, make a list of all the valuable items you pack. Use a separate bag or case to protect items such as laptops, cameras, tablets, etc. Depending on your destination, a money belt or other form of concealed baggage is added security to keep cash, credit cards, and personal identification information safe.
After you’ve packed your bags, secure them with locks that open either with a key or a lock combination. Even if you are only traveling a few hours away, a lock can prevent potential thieves from rifling through your belongings. When choosing your suitcase locks, consider using Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recognized locks. These permit TSA agents to check inside your bags if needed without breaking your locks. Use locks even on items you will carry with you.
How to Keep Valuables Safe During Travel
When traveling by car, be intentional with where you place your bags. It may be best to have all luggage stored in the trunk of the car where it will be out of sight. If you keep a bag with you in the passenger seat, take precautions to move it out of sight whenever you leave your vehicle or take the bag with you.If you are traveling by train, do not leave any valuable items out in the open. Only take out what you need when you need it. Always store, lock, and take valuables with you if you need to leave your seat and you do not have a travel companion with you. Be aware of your surroundings and any lingering eyes.
When traveling by plane, it’s important to decide what should go in your checked bag and your carry-on luggage. If you are worried about your checked bag arriving at your destination with you, be sure to put valuables in your carry-on luggage. Using locks on all of your luggage will help minimize any theft incidents as well.
While waiting to board your plane, be careful not to unpack and leave out valuables. You might accidentally leave an item behind or not see if someone steals an item when you are distracted. Keep everything inside your carry-on luggage until you have boarded your plane. While on the flight, follow similar steps to that of a train ride: be aware of your surroundings, always pack up items if you need to leave your seat, and never leave unattended valuables out in the open.
It’s also important to be aware of potential theft once you reach your destination. In the past two years alone, Adventist Risk Management, Inc. (ARM) has received over 270 travel-related claims regarding lost or stolen items. SafeBee, a website dedicated to making the world a safer place, recommends a few ways to avoid being robbed:
- Walk in groups. There is safety in numbers and you are less likely to be targeted.
- Choose well-lit paths and avoid isolating shortcuts. Carry a flashlight with you when walking at night.
- Stand tall and walk with confidence.
- Don’t wear headphones—be aware of your surroundings.
- Put your phone away. It is one of the easiest items to steal and is one of the most commonly stolen objects.
- Tell someone where you are going. Make sure they know which routes you routinely use and how long your journey might take.
- Walk facing traffic to see who or what is coming toward you.
Heading Home—Do you have all your valuables with you?
Use extra caution when packing up to head home. This applies whether you stayed at a hotel, hostel, campground, or a ministry facility. Refer to your list made at the beginning of your trip to make sure you have everything you brought with you. Pack each device and valuable item in its designated case. Check that locks are working properly and they open only with the correct combination or key.When you arrive home, review your list. Do you have all the luggage and valuable items you took? If something is missing, retrace your steps to decide if the item was stolen or lost. If necessary, immediately contact your insurance company about the missing article and relay all pertinent information in order to begin the recovery process.
Taking Small Steps to Accomplish the Goal
While these steps may seem unnecessary, it’s important we always take precautions when traveling. An extra five minutes in the day to check and secure valuable items can save our ministry and ourselves from needless hassles.Learn more about prevention and safety resources at AdventistRisk.org/Safety-Resources.
References:
http://www.safebee.com/outdoors/10-ways-avoid-getting-mugged
