A few precautions can mean the difference between a dream vacation and a disaster.

"Do not leave your common sense at home," urges AAA National. "You are more vulnerable when in unfamiliar surroundings."

While there is no way to guarantee insulation from crime, there are ways to minimize the risk. Experts advise travelers to take a proactive approach to securing their property and ensuring their safety.

Travelers should also take steps to keep their homes safe while away. The following guidelines can help in securing your home-and yourself-while traveling:

Planning Your Vacation

Consult with a reputable travel agent. Many scam artists offer trips that sound too good to be true, but have substantial hidden costs or restrictions. Avoid companies which pressure you for an immediate decision or won't supply information in writing.

Consider purchasing trip insurance to safeguard your vacation against costly "surprises" such as injuries, cancellation, and lost baggage.

File a "travel plan." Let someone know where you are going, the route you plan to take and when you plan to arrive. If you deviate from that plan, let someone know.

Ask a trusted friend or neighbor to watch your house while you are away. Give them the phone number where you are staying and other pertinent information. Have them pick up your mail, newspapers, etc. Do NOT stop delivery.

Hire someone to clear the driveway and sidewalks of snow in the winter, and mow the lawn in the summer.

Have a neighbor park his/her car in your driveway, to give the house a "lived-in" appearance.

Make sure the doors and windows are secured before leaving your home.

Set household lights (inside and out) on variable timers.

Leave spare keys with a neighbor or relative rather than hidden outside the house. A burglar knows where to look!

Check your travel documents and reconfirm your flight to make sure it is on schedule.

Make photocopies of your passport and compile lists of your credit card numbers. This will help speed replacement of lost or stolen items.

Some materials that may be safe in automobiles can be dangerous in airplanes. Airlines forbid packing matches or lighters in luggage, or flammable liquids such as lighter refills, adhesives, and solvents.

Never leave luggage unattended. Use your business address, if possible, on luggage tags.

Be aware of your surroundings. Watch who is watching you.

Flashing wads of cash may make a tourist an easy theft target. Consider a variety of payment methods to ensure maximum convenience and security. Traveler's checks are a good option because, if lost or stolen, they can be replaced. Keep serial numbers separate from the checks.

Use credit cards to cover unexpected or very large expenses incurred while traveling. Credit charges are the easiest to challenge if services or merchandise purchased are unsatisfactory or incorrectly charged.

Split up cash among family members so funds are still available should one person experience a loss. Carry enough to cover tips, taxi fares, telephones and other miscellaneous small expenses.

Carry money separately from credit cards or use a "fanny pack." Carry your purse close to your body and your wallet in an inside coat or front trouser pocket.

Consider bringing an automatic teller machine (ATM) card on vacation. Withdraw only small amounts of cash as needed. When possible, do all ATM banking during daylight and business hours. After hours, only frequent ATM machines located in grocery stores, malls or other busy areas.

If your car is bumped from behind or if someone says there is something wrong with your car, don't stop. Go to a service station or a well-lit area and call for help.

Don't pull over for flashing headlights. Police vehicles have red or blue lights.

Travel in groups when possible. Walk only in well-lit areas and fill the gas tank before dark.

Ask hotel front desk personnel which areas of town to avoid and what, if any special precautions should be taken when driving a rental car.

Never leave video cameras, car phones or other expensive equipment visible in your car. Lock them in the trunk.

Make sure the hotel desk clerk does not announce your room number; if so, quietly request a new room assignment.

Preparation for a safe escape in case of fire in a hotel/motel begins at check-in. As you walk down the hallway, note the location of fire extinguishers and fire alarms. Count the number of doors between your room and the nearest exit, as you may be forced to crawl on the floor in darkness and smoke to your exit.

Keep your room key close to your bed, where you can easily find it.

Use room safes or safety deposit boxes provided by the hotel. Store all valuables out of sight, even when you are in the room.

Use deadbolt and other locks provided by the hotel. Properties which appear in AAA TourBooks must comply with certain room security requirements, including deadbolt locks on all guest room entry and connecting room doors.

Never open the door to a stranger.

Reproduced with permission from AAA Wisconsin

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