Travelling is an exciting opportunity to explore new places, but it also means managing the safety of your valuables on the move. You could only be going away for a short while, but you’ll want to enjoy your trip without worrying about losing your precious items like that engagement ring or favourite camera.
- Make Your Carry-On a Fortress
When you set off, your carry-on bag should be your most trusted companion. The best way to protect your valuables during transit is to keep them close. Invest in a durable, well-organised carry-on with multiple compartments to separate items. Keep smaller valuables like your engagement ring, wallet, phone and gadgets in inner, zipped pockets that are harder for pickpockets to reach.
Make sure your carry-on is always within sight. Even while sitting, loop the strap around your leg or chair so it’s not left unattended.
- Divide Your Essentials Strategically
It’s helpful to have backups in case something goes missing. Split your important items between different locations. Keep one set of documents, like your passport and a credit card, in a travel wallet in your carry-on, and place a second set in a hidden pocket on your person, like inside your jacket. This way, even if someone gains access to one stash, you’ll still have the basics covered.
For example, a small pouch hidden under your clothing or tucked into your socks can be the perfect spot for keeping emergency cash or an extra card. And, if you have electronics, don’t just stash everything into one compartment. A secure pouch for each item reduces the risk of losing them all at once.
- Wear Your Most Precious Items
When it comes to your most treasured jewellery, like engagement rings or family heirlooms, instead of packing them, why not wear them? You may want to avoid wearing anything high value while at security checkpoints. By having your jewellery on you during most of your trip, it is safe in one of the most effective ways to prevent it from going missing.
- Go Digital with Your Documents
Many travellers have found that digitising documents is an effective way to ensure that even if something gets lost, you have access to it.
Keep a digital copy of your bank cards and emergency contacts stored in a secure password manager app. Scan your passport, tickets, and insurance details, and store them securely on your phone or a cloud service. For a backup, email the scanned copies to yourself. This way, if you lose any physical documents, you can still retrieve the information quickly.
Having a second line of defence like this offers peace of mind, knowing that no matter what happens, you won’t be entirely stranded.