TRAVEL SAFETY

How to Protect Your Home While You're Gone

· When you go away ask a neighbor to collect your mail and newspapers, and offer to return the favor.

· Put an automatic timer on at least two lights and a radio. Consider photoelectric sensors to turn outside lights on and off automatically.

· Tell a trusted neighbor when you’re leaving and when you’ll return. Include an itinerary and phone numbers where you can be reached in an emergency.

· Leave drapes, curtains and blinds as you normally would if you were home.

· Close and secure all of the doors to the garage. If you have an electric door opener, unplug it after the door is closed. Be sure to lock the walk-in door.

· Have a neighbor park their car in the driveway or leave your second car out in the drive.

· Ask a neighbor to use your trash cans and put trash out where you normally do on pick-up day.

· Consider hiring a house sitter for extended absences.

· Notify the police when you go on vacation. Ask them to check your house while you’re gone. Be sure to tell them which lights will be left on. Also leave the name, address, home and work phone numbers of a friend who lives near you.

· Arrange to have your yard cared for. Have someone mow the grass in summer and shovel your walks in winter.

· Leave a radio on. Play it loud enough to be heard from outside your door. A burglar often listens at the door to see if he/she can hear anything inside.

· Leave your shades and blinds as you normally would.

· Turn down your water heater

· Clean out your wallet or purse before you go; take only essential credit cards. Plan to use credit cards or traveler’s checks instead of cash wherever possible.

· Put a sign on your door. One that says, “Day Sleeper,” or “Beware of Dog” could be effective.

· Tag all of your luggage, including carry-ons, and make sure it is ticketed for your destination. Consider using a business address rather than a home address on tags.

· Have someone drop you off, or leave your car in a well-lighted parking lot or secured parking garage. Make shuttle or car reservations ahead, or have someone meet you at your destination and when you return.

· Consider a car phone as an investment in security. Use the car phone to dial 911 in potentially threatening situations.

· Take advantage of airports overnight parking.

· Expensive, designer luggage can draw unneeded attention to your belongings. Pack your things in inconspicuous bags.

· Keep a separate record of the contents of checked luggage. Keep anything of value such as medicine and jewelry in a carry-on that stays with you.

· When renting a car, buy a good map and study it before you leave the building.

· Don’t advertise you’re a tourist by leaving maps and guidebooks on the seat or dashboard—keep them in a glove compartment.

· Have your family stick together and keep an eye on your children at all times.

· Make sure children know where you’re staying (name and address), and teach them what to do if they get lost or separated.

How to Protect Yourself

· Avoid hotels that use metal keys, which any guest can duplicate. Card keys that work in the swipe system are best.

· At check-in, show your business card or write your name on a piece of paper. Decline a first-floor room, and ask the hotel clerk to write your room number on a card so someone lurking about can’t hear.

· Ask a hotel employee to help you with luggage, or ask someone in security to go to your room with you.

· Leave the door open as you check to make sure windows and doors are secure and closets are empty.

· Don’t answer the door in a hotel or motel room without verifying who it is. If a person claims to be an employee, call the front desk and ask if someone from their staff is supposed to have access to your room and for what purpose.

· When returning to your hotel or motel late in the evening, use the main entrance of the hotel. Be observant and look around before entering parking lots.

· Close the door securely whenever you are in your room and use all of the locking devices provided.

· Don’t needlessly display guest room keys in public or carelessly leave them on restaurant tables, at the swimming pool, or other places where they can be easily stolen.

· Do not draw attention to yourself by displaying large amounts of cash or expensive jewelry.

· Familiarize yourself with the location of the nearest fire exit stairway. Report fire or smoke to your hotel operator. In the unlikely event of a fire, please follow procedures provided in your room.

· Place all valuables in the hotel or motel’s safe deposit box.

· Do not leave valuables in your vehicle or in your room.

· Check to see that any sliding glass doors or windows and any connecting room doors are locked.

· If you see any suspicious activity, please report your observations to the management.