Safe Travel Tips For South Shore Residents On Vacation

Brian Simpson, Travelocity.ca

If you have dreams of being a snow-bird and travel south on vacation in the coming weeks and months, there are some things you should watch for to stay safety and secure. Travel expert Brian Simpson of "Travelocity.ca" has developed a list of 10 safety tips. He says one thing to avoid is pick-pockets. They're common on the sprawling white beaches.



Here is Brian's complete list of 10 things to watch for:
1. If you can’t bear to lose it, leave it at home – Expensive jewellery and watches don’t only catch the eye of fellow travellers, but thieves as well. If you have jewellery, watches, or anything else of value that you couldn’t bear to lose, then it’s best to leave it locked up safely at home. And NEVER pack anything of value in your checked bags.



2. Avoid pick-pockets - Keep all bags zipped and money out of sight. Never put bills in your back pockets. In crowds, take extra precaution and move daypacks and purses to the front of your body.


3. Avoid nocturnal exploring - Avoid short cuts like alleys or poorly lit streets. Sticking to more populated areas is always a wise decision.

4. Learn your ABCs - Learn key phrases in the local language or have them written down. This will make all the difference when exploring your destination and communicating with taxi drivers and locals.

5. Find your way home - Take a business card from the hotel to ensure you have the right address and phone number when returning.

6. Register with Foreign Affairs – Better safe than sorry. Registering your travel plans with Foreign Affairs & International Trade before travelling helps keep you connected to Canada in case of an emergency abroad, such as an earthquake or civil unrest, or can keep you informed about an emergency at home.

7. Be Food/Water Safe - Say no to tap water and stay away from iced drinks. A beverage that may not be as cold as you’d like, may be a small price to pay. versus the effects of drinking unsafe water. And when eating, wash all fruit and vegetables in bottled water. Hotels don’t always wash produce with filtered water. If a sensitive stomach is your concern, washing your produce with bottled water, and maybe even a bit of hand soap, is a wise precaution to take.

8. Money carriers – Don’t let their goofy look discourage you, money belts are a handy thing to have on day trips. They allow piece of mind and free hands to take in everything your destination has to offer. But always keep money belts hidden under your clothing if possible.

9. Small amounts of cash – Take small amounts of cash out at a time and keep a reserve in your hotel room safe. On outings, keep a limited amount on your person. In the event of a mugging or robbery, the loss will not be as severe.

10. Limited cap on Visa and debit – Apply a small maximum withdrawal allowance on your visa and debit cards. In the event your cards are lost or stolen, your bank account is spared. At the same time, ensure you get credit where credit is due – Banks have very sophisticated loss prevention programs in place and will lock accounts if they suspect fraudulent activity. Notify your bank and credit card provider of your travel plans to ensure uninterrupted access to your bank account and credit cards.