Travel Safety

Helpful Travel Tips

If you plan on "hitting-the-road" consider these helpful tips to keep you and your family safe.

Packing Your Bags 

• Clean out your wallet or purse before you go, take only essential credit cards. Plan to use credit cards or traveler’s checks instead of cash whenever possible.
• Expensive, designer luggage can draw unneeded attention to your belongings. Pack your things in inconspicuous bags.
• Keep a separate record of the contents of checked luggage, and keep anything of value such as medicine and jewelry in a carry-on that stays with you.

Home Security

• Keep shades and blinds in their normal positions.
• Stop mail and newspapers or ask a trusted neighbor to pick them up everyday.
• Put several household lights on timers so they turn on and off at appropriate times.
• You might consider leaving a radio on or putting it on a timer. Select a talk radio program to give the impression someone is at home.
• Arrange to have your grass mowed or trash set out on collection day.
• Have your neighbor park their vehicle in your driveway.
• Make sure your door and window locks are in good working order and use them.
• Set your home alarm system if you have one.

During Your Travels

The best advice for you and your family is to do all you can to blend in with the crowd:

• Don’t display expensive jewelry, cameras, bags or other items that might draw attention.
• Check maps before you go out so you can tour confidently.
• Stick to well lighted, well traveled streets at all times, don’t use shortcuts.
• Always lock your car when it’s parked, even if the stop is brief.
• Make sure your kids know not to accept rides or favors from strangers.