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Table 4 Safety of Property

From: Healthy, safe and responsible: the modern female traveller

Luggage

 Ensure luggage not too heavy to slow you down

 Use luggage in bold colours, personalise heavily or ‘uglify’ to make it easily traceable and unsellable

 Use covered luggage tags; use office rather home address

 Be alert in train sleepers, on bus

 Theft-proof bags (steel wire in handle/strap)

 Wear shoulder bags across body

 Keep handbag away from street side

Documents

 Plan how to carry documents and copies of your passport, visa, prescriptions, ticket

 Don’t make copies of your credit card; memorise details

 Keep your identity safe

 Avoid cargo vests for carrying money and documents; they can be ripped off easily

Money

 Understand money notes, coins and exchange rate beforehand

 Use ATMs during the day; bring enough cash for the first days

 Be careful with anything where you need to get your wallet out

 Use dummy wallet with little cash

 Use karabiner clip wallet; sew safe pocket under bra or inside pockets in pants

 Use travel ‘safes’ (money belt, money pouch, leg pouch etc.) but ensure none shows through clothing

Stay alert

 No distraction

 Secure luggage, laptop, tablets, personal information

 Flashing a laptop or tablet in public may invite robbers

 Don’t resist when robbed; hand over valuables

Watch out

 Watch out for scams targeting the female traveller (e.g. by women with babies or group of children)

 Learn about current pickpocket methods and scams