Keeping yourself and your belongings safe on your travels is vitally important to ensuring a joyful trip. The last thing you want is to come back to your hotel or hostel to find your items have been stolen, or go to pay for a coffee and realise that your wallet has vanished. Unfortunately, a third of British holiday makers have had their valuables stolen whilst on holiday - with Spain being the worst location for thefts – but don’t worry. There are many simple, easy ways to keep yourself and your belongings as safe as possible. Here are our top tips to keep you and your possessions safe when exploring the world. 1. First things first - put all your Important Documents in a Secure Place. We always put our important documents in a travel document holder. Make sure you pick a well-trusted brand to avoid it falling apart half way through your trip. Vicky and I recommend the Lifeventure RFID Travel Wallet, or an equally reputable brand sold at a trusted outdoor retailer. The beauty of this particular wallet is it has the added benefit of providing protection from unwanted reading of your cards or passports. Here's some more info on RFiD protection. 2. Secondly, although we’re big advocates of positive thinking, it always pays to have some preparation in place for when things go awry. Unexpected hiccups are part of life – but they can be a little trickier to handle when abroad. This can range something like from losing your wallet to having to find a new place to stay due to your entire hostel being flooded late at night. Yes, that did happen to us - in Beijing! It is therefore important to Plan for Emergencies before you leave on your travels. Arranging an emergency contact before you set off is a good start when planning for emergency scenarios. It can help to have a brainstorming session with your travel buddy or someone who’s au fair with travelling and drum up some effective Plan Bs for any common travelling mishaps (including but not limited to losing your phone, losing your wallet, becoming separated from your travel buddy, missing a flight, moving hostels, falling ill and so on). 3. Thirdly, ALWAYS Padlock your suitcase before you go. It’s so simple and easy and adds an extra layer of security to your case. We recommend using a Combi Lock. It gives extra peace of mind if your luggage goes missing or gets on the wrong flight – and we all know someone that’s happened to. 4. Fourthly, it’s always a great idea to wear a body wallet or a neck wallet when exploring your chosen destination. Whether that’s a city, beach, jungle, or mountain, wearing one will keep your essential items close to you so you can focus on what’s going on around you. Always be aware of your key items and where they are at any moment. 5. Finally, our last piece of advice is to do your research! This doesn’t just go for travel arrangements, but also for activities you get up to on your adventure. Especially on hotels, hostels, tours, flights and tickets. For example, when Vicky and I went to see Sumo Wrestling in Tokyo, we made sure the company we purchased tickets from were legitimate and had great reviews. We strongly advise against purchasing tickets from third-party websites and touts. Our five key tips haven’t steered us wrong so far when exploring the world. We swear by being thorough in your travel preparation, and accept the importance of security when out exploring. This will hopefully allow yourself to enjoy the wonderful places our planet has to offer just that little bit more freely! Thank you for taking the time to read our article. The Travelling Mooseys
