(Part 1 of 2)

Overseas and local travel can be disheartening experience for the casual traveler. Observing some basic rules can save a lot of heartache and problems.

Personal security when traveling is important but should not get in the way of a person's trip or vacation and, more importantly, enjoyment. Knowledge is power here as a person can then just do the things naturally to ensure that he or she and his or her possessions are safe and secure.

Many security companies and people thrive on creating a dangerous environment. By this, I mean that they promote the dangers rather than the simple positive things you can do to protect yourself and be able to confidently put the security issues in the background. After all, we travel and vacation for relaxation and enjoyment and having attention tied up in how dangerous it may all be defeats the purpose of going in the first place.

So do what you need to be safe and be confident in your actions.  Some helpful hints that you can put to use are:

1. Use your credit card when you travel. A lot of the card companies protect you and your purchases when your use their card. If you should have the card lost or stolen, then a phone call will cancel the card and get another one sent to you immediately. Talk to your card company before traveling and find out how to deal with this situation and how fast they can get you a new card.  Also, paying for all or as much of the trip before you leave will prevent you from being stranded somewhere or not having a hotel to stay at. The less you have to pay for once on the  ‘road,’ the easier it will be in an emergency. 

A little knowledge here will save a heap of worry and upset, not to mention being stuck somewhere with no money. It is a good idea to stash a couple of days' funds somewhere so you have it until a replacement card arrives. You can still get travelers checks -- these have some measure of security built in, as you need ID to cash them. Do not keep this in the same place as a credit card. No money at all is very unpleasant in a foreign land, or anywhere else for that matter. Believe it or not, there are still some countries that have credit card hassles.

2. Do not carry more documents and personal information around with you than you actually need. For example, you are probably never going to need your birth certificate when you travel. Take only two credit cards and keep only one on you at any one time. jost hotels have security safes where you can lock up the things you do not need to be carrying around. You should not need more than one credit card, a passport and a driver’s license if you are going to be driving. Leave the rest at home or locked up in your hotel.

A good plan is to make Xerox copies of all your valuable travel documents, including your passport. If you are unfortunate enough to have it stolen, then you have an actual copy and this will be a huge help in getting a replacement and will act as ID in an emergency.  Carrying valuables in a fanny pack round your waist just labels you as a tourist and tells people where your valuables are.  Keep them in inside pockets or button down pockets where they can’t be easily picked.

3. Do not give out personal information over the phone when traveling, particularly in countries with older phone systems that can still be used for eavesdropping. If you have to send things like social security numbers, ask if you can fax it to them or better still, ask if they have a secure web site where you can enter the information. Look for the little padlock symbol on the page. That will show you it is encrypted and secure.

4. Make sure trusted friends and/or relatives know your itinerary. Should the worst happen at least someone will have the knowledge of where you were and what you were doing. This may save the police days of work should an emergency arise.