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Luggage theft isn’t a new thing. It’s something that happens daily, and you can easily fall victim. People can steal from you, or sometimes you can misplace your luggage.
You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you have to travel, and all your money, ATM cards, and other valuables are stolen or lost.
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to avoid finding yourself in such a compromising situation.
The following article highlights some of these tips. Let us get into the details.
1.Carry Only Enough
Always carry only the items you need when packing for your trip. Don’t travel with expensive electronics, jewelry, and large amounts of cash that you won’t use.
The trick to ensuring minimal packing is to ask yourself if you will need an item before placing it in your luggage bag. If not, leave it behind.
However, If you are traveling for celebratory purposes, like birthdays and weddings, it might be hard to leave some items, especially those you intend to gift others.
These gifts include diamond earrings, tennis bracelets, diamond studs, and solitaire rings. Solitaire rings are valuable pieces commonly used for engagements. A diamond solitaire ring is an exquisite piece that comes in handy when planning an engagement.
Also, don’t carry every single credit card that you have. You may carry only one card which has sufficient funds in it to meet your traveling needs.
2.Get Insurance
Travel insurance is essential when traveling particularly if it’s outside the country. Before traveling, get your baggage insured against damage/ loss.
It’s useful when you experience an injury or accident while on your escapades.
Apart from that, it helps you when your items get stolen.
Different rules apply to different nationalities for travel insurance. If your stuff gets stolen, the insurance company can compensate for your loss depending on the amount of insurance cover.
Before picking an insurance cover, check the benefits that come with it. Some insurers don’t cover cash losses. They may also have a limit for expensive products like high-end jewelry and electronics.
Always have a receipt of the items you bought for the trip. Also, take a few pictures of your items when packing to assist you in remembering what you are carrying with yourself.
3.Secure and Duplicate Your Documents
Traveling requires lots of paper. Some documents you will carry include a passport, visa, health insurance card, proof of Covid-19 vaccine, travel insurance, and driver’s license.
To keep these documents safe, make their copies before leaving your country. Store digital copies on your phone or computer and protect these images with a password.
Keep the physical copies in your suitcase or lockbox during accommodation.
Keeping the physical copies safe makes it easier to replace them if you unfortunately misplaced them. Either way, don’t keep those documents in your pockets or places where they are easily accessible.
Place IDs, cards, and passports in a neck wallet as you can wear these beneath your clothes when out and about.
4.Always Beware of Your Luggage
Whether at the airport, in train, on a bus, or just exploring a new town, always look for your luggage.
Go for suitcases that don’t have pockets on the outside, as thieves would find it hard to steal them from you. This is always a safer way of storing luggage. Also, mark your luggage so that another traveler doesn’t accidentally carry it.
Lock your luggage when not using it. Alternatively, opt for a zipperless suitcase, or wrap your luggage using wrappers as they add an extra layer of protection.
Always keep your luggage in sight. Don’t place your valuables in areas that go in storage, whether on train or bus. An employee loading your bag might steal your wallet, laptop, or your cash.
Avoid leaving your bag on the beach, unattended, or in the backseat of the car. When sleeping, wrap your luggage around you or sleep on the luggage.
5.Hide Stuff in Different Places
If you place all your valuable stuff in one place and it goes missing, you will lose all your goods.
Thus, it is excellent to distribute your items to avoid suffering significant losses. Spread your items across different places.
Here are some of the ways to get creative while hiding your goods:
- Money belts that look like genuine belts. These belts come with zippered pockets where you can store the money.
- Use an empty deodorant to store keys, cash, cards, and anything of value. Keep the deodorant in your toiletry bag.
- Hide money in rolled-up socks, then place these items at the bottom of the bag.
6. Use the Safe in Your Accommodation
If you are staying in a hotel room, then your valuables are pretty safe in the locked room. However, it’s not safe enough to leave your valuable items lying around.
Although housekeepers and hotel managers might be genuine people and not try to steal any of your items, they might leave the door open. Unfortunately, a passerby may sneak into your room and take your item.
Always use a safe if one is provided in your room to keep your valuable items. Also, don’t forget to pick up your goods each time you check out.
7. Opt for Sturdy Backpacks and Purses
You will likely use a purse or a backpack to get around. However, pickpockets often target bags. They unzip it and before you know it; everything valuable to you is gone.
To avoid being a victim, always beware of your items’ whereabouts at all costs. Don’t put anything valuable in the side pockets. If these items aren’t close to your body, place them inside the pockets of your bag to make it hard for strangers to access them.
Final Thoughts
Losing any of your valuables when traveling can mess up and ruin your whole journey. You want to relax, explore and enjoy. Thus, it’s better to always be keen and safe.
Apply the above tips to help you keep your valuables safe while traveling. You won’t regret it!
