Security Tips for Women Travellers

Nowadays, you're as likely to see a woman going off on a business trip as you would a man. One of the greatest concerns a woman will have while she is travelling is safety. here are a few tips to help women travellers have a safe, hassle-free journey:

Stay alert in busy environments

When at the airport, train station or other travel hub, your biggest safety concern will be pickpockets. Your biggest protection is to stay alert. Being on your guard - and just as importantly, looking as though your on guard - immediately lessens your appeal as a target.

If possible, look around you before you delve into a crowd. Take note of anyone else who may be scanning the crowd, or loitering; get a good look (or look like you're getting a good look) at everyone's faces. This helps put off anyone who might be eyeing you: a target who's both alert and able to visually identify a thief will be far from appealing.

In public places, try and keep a hand, a foot or an eye on your luggage at all times. This is a good deterrent to theft, but its not great - there are cases of bags being snatched straight from a victim's hands and so on. Being in physical contact with the luggage, however, is a quick and easy way of complicating matters for a snatch thief. You may also want to consider attaching (by thick, difficult to cut cables or nets) smaller items to larger pieces of luggage to prevent easy removal if you foresee being in a crowded situation for a lengthy period. These cables or nets can be obtained from any number of travel gear companies (click here). The cable or net can also be used to secure your items to a non-movable item in your surrounding (chair, table) for greater security.

When you are keying in your numbers for your ATM, credit card or telephone card, use one hand to shield the keyboard while you press the keys with the other hand. Tuck your card away as soon as you can - don't leave it on the phone or machine while you talk or put things away.

When going through passport, custom, or security checks, be on your best, most serious behavior. Even if you are in a long line and in a hurry, be polite, quiet and follow all instructions carefully. Answer all questions from the agent clearly and briefly. Never make humorous comments. Officials can send you to a holding and questioning area for the slightest reason. It is their job to take all comments and jokes seriously to help ensure your safety.

Protect your luggage

Use luggage that is easily individualized - perhaps suitcases of an unusual colour or design. Further individualize it with stickers, or a ribbon wrapped around the handle - anything to make it stand out. This not only makes it easier for you to spot, but also makes it more difficult for a thief to carry away without someone noticing.

Use your business address on your luggage label.  If you don't have a business card, use your travel agent's business address. Add your hotel name and address on the tag on your trip out. If you have multiple destinations on your itinerary, you may also want to list the hotel names and addresses on a tag attached to the luggage, in case the luggage goes astray; alternatively, if you do not want too much information placed in such an accessible location, you may simply list your travel agent's contact details and address, and leave a copy of your itinerary with him/her.

Be careful when carrying valuables

The standard advice is: don't take anything of great sentimental or monetary value; take faux jewels or inexpensive real ones instead. Carrying a faux wedding ring may also be advisable, depending on the level of misogyny at your destination.

Should you choose to carry valuables, don't put them in your purse. Hide valuables in a neck pouch or waist wallet, or any place that's difficult to access. Many travel gear companies offer clothing and accessories designed with a secret compartment for safekeeping.

If you are sharing a room with people you don't know well, you may consider wearing your security wallet when you are sleeping. You may also consider leaving the valuables in the hotel safe, either an ensuite safe, or in the manager's room, but in both cases you will want to consider the trustworthiness of the establishment and personnel.

Take some basic precautions in the hotel

When choosing a hotel room, you may wish to specify the room location: near the elevators or a main corridor are generally the most heavily trafficked, and thus most inconvenient to a thief.

Once you are in the room, immediately check that it is to your satisfaction. If not, request an immediate room transfer. This prevents any future possibility of a 'repairman' trying to gain access to your room. Also, it is best to check the window or balcony and assess if its easy to reach, break or otherwise enter. If you are not comfortable with this possibility, you may also request another room.

It is only common sense to the lock system provided at all times, but you may also wish to add an extra level of security. There are a number of door-stop alarms sold by the various travel gear companies, which can be slipped under door to prevent anyone noiselessly entering your room. A low-tech version is to use a rubber doorstop, which will give an intruder pause, but will not sound an alarm.

Prepare for an evening out

Safety pin your hotel and/or safe key inside your coat pocket if the key in your security wallet causes an unattractive bulge in your clothes. The traditional 'tuck-in-bra' option may also be advisable.

Tuck a business card in the pocket of your overcoat and jacket. This will help in case you leave them in a restaurant or on a train. Put you hotel name and telephone number on the cards.

Your purse or handbag should contain your name and who to contact in case of a medical emergency. Also list any allergies. Write this phrase in English and in the languages of the countries in which you will be travelling.

The design of your handbag can be a big factor in whether it gets snatched. Bags with thin straps which are easy to break or cut will be more enticing to a pickpocket looking for a quick snatch, whereas thick straps will be more of a deterrent. Some handbags also include a steel wire in their straps, to prevent a thief cutting it. You may want to consider getting such a bag if you travel very often. If your purse has a long shoulder strap, drape it over your head so that the strap crosses your torso diagonally. This makes it more difficult for thieves to grab.

Keep coins in your pocket for subways, buses and tipping so you don't have to repeatedly open your purse and handbag. Also, keep some spare money on your  person in case your bag is snatched, to tide you over until you can recover from the loss.

Article Information
First published 10 May 2005. This article is free for personal and commercial reproduction, with the following terms and conditions.