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2torial #0628:
Learn2
Secure Valuables While Traveling
Don't come home without them!
If you were a thief, wouldn't tourists be your
first victims? They're often lost, distracted and
confused. They frequently carry large amounts of
cash. And their response time is slowed by heavy
bags and weary heads. In short, they're moving
targets!
Fortunately, you can significantly reduce your
chances of getting robbed with a little planning
and preparation. In the following steps, you'll
learn how to maintain a low profile during your
travels and keep valuables out of reach of
wandering hands.
Before you forgo the safety of home, find out as
much as you can about your destination. Is the
crime rate high? Are there particular areas you
should avoid? Most travel books provide a section
on safety and security, and the U.S. Department of
State provides special warnings for countries that
are particularly crime-ridden at
http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html.
Such knowledge will help you plan what to pack, and
what to leave behind.
Once you arrive, ask locals about potential
trouble spots. They know the lay of the land better
than any guide writer or State Department official,
so their input is invaluable. Sometimes tourist
officials and hotelkeepers paint a picture that is
rosier than reality would indicate, so it can be
helpful to tap other sources for information--for
example, a waiter or simply a kind stranger with
whom you happen to strike up a conversation.
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