Unfamiliar locations, when we are on vacation for instance, seem to be the most likely times when things will start to go wrong. Problems that could leave you with bad memories and a dislike of the local people, and maybe having to replace lost items; it could cost you lots of money and end up ruining your holiday. At the extreme end you may have to spend time at the local Police station giving statements and filling out reports. It is easy to drop your guard when you are on vacation and enjoying yourself but this is when you are most vulnerable so traveling safely relies on your common sense to guide you.
No matter what the situation is, trust what your instincts tell you as they are very rarely wrong. When you go out to discover new places, bars and restaurants, think about what you are taking with you; are all your credit cards, passport and airline tickets for example necessary where you are going? Take just what you need for the day and leave the rest in the hotel safe as it is better to lose a little, rather then everything. One tip that has saved many travelers hassle is placing money in various locations so it makes it harder for thieves and pickpockets to get it all at once.
Unfortunately, the convenience of having two credit cards on the same account in your own country can be a problem in a foreign land so another travel safely tip is to use two completely separate accounts; this provides a back-up should one be lost or stolen. Some of the easiest possessions to steal are bags and cameras owing to the way people carry them without even recognizing that they are an easy target for thieves; ensure the straps are over the head and across the chest if you want to hold on to them. Try to be aware of where you are when you stroll around and don't make an easy target for the snatch thieves on the back of bikes. From a criminal's point of view, large groups of tourists are just treated as easy targets and because they do this sort of thing all the time, they are extremely good at it.
We can become complacent believing it will not happen or we are cleverer than them but this is how they make their living and in many cases the way that they feed their family every day. If you use a small backpack or day bag when wandering the streets or local markets why not buy a small padlock because would be pickpockets will be put off straight away. A good way to prevent your keys from being stolen or more likely lost, is to buy a small shackle that climbers use and while you cannot lock these it is possible to secure them to belts for example. A word of warning to those men that always have their wallet in a back pocket; try putting it somewhere else as this is the first place that criminals look and it is an easy target for them. Many of the problems outlined above happen only when people let their guard down; traveling safely does not mean you have to be paranoid, just prepared and use common sense and you will have an enjoyable vacation.
