How to Protect Your Valuables When Traveling

It is inevitable that you’ll have to bring some valuable stuff when you travel. Aside from your money and credit card, you may have to carry jewelry, expensive electronic equipment, money and, of course, your travel documents.

But what happens if those valuables are lost of stolen? You have probably heard of the many sob stories of travelers and there will always be some fear that it may happen to you, too. The key is to know how to keep your things safe and have a worry-free vacation. Follow o5.com life tips on how to protect your valuables when traveling.

Life tip # 1: Keep a photocopy of your travel documents

Always have a backup copy of your important travel documents in the form of photocopies. Do this even before you travel. Photocopy the first few pages of your passport, your credit cards, immigrant cards, travel insurance and health insurance papers, plane tickets and the serial numbers of your travelers checks. Leave one set of copies in your house or with a trusted friend or family member. Then bring another set of photocopies with you when you travel put it in an envelope and store it in another place (not the same place where you store the originals).

Life tip # 2: Keep valuables to a minimum

Only bring valuables that you think is an absolute necessity in your trip. There’s no use bringing so many sets of jewelry when one set will do. The same goes for electronic devices. If you think that a laptop won’t be used as much in your trip then don’t bring one. It will even save you some weight and space in your luggage.

Life tip # 3: Get a body pouch

There are travelers’ pouches that are designed to be worn around the body. This is a great way of keeping safe your passports and other travel documents. If it is large enough you can even put all of your cash in this pouch. Make sure to use it as it was intended to be used – hidden inside your clothing.

Life tip # 4: Use the hotel safety deposit box

Most hotel rooms now have safety deposit boxes. Make us of this amenity. Most of these safety deposit boxes can hold your travel documents and most of your valuables. Some are even large enough to accommodate laptops. If a safety deposit box is not available inside the rooms, then you can inquire if there are available safety deposit boxes in the lobby area (within the reception desk area). Don’t believe the stories of these boxes not being safe at all. At this point it is just an urban legend.

Life tip # 5: Carry a different wallet

Use a different wallet that contains only the local currency. This is such a helpful tip because it will make it easier for you to track all of your money – both the local currency and your own currency, dollars or euros. It also serves as a great decoy. Since you’ll just put a small amount of money there, it won’t be a big loss if it gets stolen or lost.

Photo from telegraph.co.uk