crime-guide4all

With the holidays fast approaching a lot of people will be traveling, and with this increase in activity there is also the potential for an increase in crime. Following are some tips to keep in mind to keep your travels safe.

• If you are a woman traveling alone, book all reservations with your first initial and last name only since a feminine first name can often send unwanted signals.
• Wear the shoulder strap of your bag across your chest and walk with the bag away from the curb to avoid drive-by purse-snatchers.
• If you are alone, do not get on an elevator if there is a suspicious-looking person inside.
• Should you need to ask directions, try not to ask anyone on the street. Instead, walk into a business and ask an employee.
• Leave your expensive jewelry at home. Period.
• If traveling by car and sleeping in a hotel, remove all your luggage every night as well as anything else that might attract the attention of passers-by.
• Try to seem purposeful when you move about. Even if you are lost, act as if you know where you are going. Try to ask for directions only from individuals in authority.
• Do not flash large amounts of money when paying a bill. Make sure your credit card is returned to you after each transaction.
• If you are confronted, don’t fight back — give up your valuables.
• If you are staying in a hotel/motel, make sure that doors are self-closing and self-locking before checking in. Also, whenever possible, ask to stay on a floor higher than ground level to avoid window access by thieves.
• Always make sure that someone who is not traveling with you knows where you are and where you plan to be until you can get back in touch with them to let them know you have returned safely.