Keeping Safe When Traveling!...

I am not the world's biggest traveler. In fact, I frequent two major cities. First I go regularly to Mississauga in Ontario Canada. This is where I grew up.

Second, I have travel to Daytona Beach, Florida. I have a lot of family here and I enjoy getting away from the snow in the winter months. The beach is only 8 minutes from where we stay and the weather stays in the 70 degree range. You cannot beat it.

I have also been to a few select US Cities such as Austin, Las Vegas, Atlanta and New York City for conferences and courses for my career.

Mostly I stay on the eastern part of North America. However I have travelled to places like the UK and India as well.

I can tell you that travelling domestically is really different than travelling abroad.

You have to think about a whole new environment. It's not bad, it just being aware of your new surroundings. Feeling safe is important if you are going to enjoy your travel, no matter where you are going.

Why you must think about being safe and secure when you travel:

• The cost and effort to replace a lost passport, id or credit card is considerable.
• You don't want to be thinking about "things" when you travel- you want to have a good time and relax
• Identity theft is rampant- and can happen anywhere. It would be a nightmare if someone else assumed your identity and stared using your credit cards
• When you are protecting your things, you are also protecting your life. You don't want to attract pick pockets and endanger your own life while on vacation.

Many years ago a high school friend of mine told me about her trip to Montreal Quebec. I never forgot that story.

She and her husband had driven from Toronto to Montreal in their SUV. They had parked they SUV on a street, and had stopped to get a bite to eat. When they came back, someone had opened the door of the SUV and stolen their stuff. She and her husband were so distraught that they decided to just go home right away.

This story always stuck with me. I felt so bad for them.

There are certain documents that we tend to be extra cautious about when we travel. I am talking about passports, credit cards, cash, and forms of ID. You want to keep these things extra safe because you don't want valuable personal information getting into the wrong hands. So, what's the best way to handle this?

Keep important things that you do not want to lose at any cost on you. For example, in shirt or shorts with pockets. These travel concealment shirts are usually a little tighter to the fit. You can wear them under your regular clothes and keep important things zipped up and out of sight. The pockets are designed not be bulky in any way.

The most important thing, is that you don't have to keep thinking about where your credit cards or drivers' licence are and if they are safe. Out of sight, out of mind.

In every nook and cranny of the worlds space you will encounter pick pockets or people that have no problems taking things that don't belong to them.

Don't make it easy for these criminals to take your stuff.

For example, don't wear your purse with open pockets on your side waist area. That is an easy target for a pickpocket.

Be wary of wearing a backpack. Someone can easily open up your back pack and take out a wallet or cell phone. Especially in a crowded space.

There are certain things that you should not do when out in public.

For example don't be counting your money or flashing your credit cards every time you are out and about. People, especially seasoned pick pockets notice these kinds of things.

Be careful about giving money to pan handlers and people on the side of the street. The worst thing you could do is open up your wallet and give money to a stranger on the street. Someone could just snatch your wallet and cash.

Be especially careful with cash and credit cards when you are away from home. Wearing your money on your clothes is probably best when you are out shopping or even eating at a restaurant. You cannot be too sure of your surroundings so keep yourself and stuff safe.

A Great Video showing you how to stay safe in Europe. They even show a great money back pouch to use for cash and a passport that stays secure while going out into the streets. Of note, a concealment shirt would work even better. This guy got pick pocketed, so he speaks from experience. You can never spend to much time about being safe. Your Life is worth it....