ly vacation this summer remember that safety for you and your possessions starts before you leave home.

1. Make sure you home has that “lived in” look. Have a neighbor get your mail and newspaper. Leave some lights on, but close your curtains

Several years ago, shortly after I met my fianc?e she went on a trip to Mexico with a group of friends. I remember it well because she was so excited to get away from me for a few days and relax in Mexico. She had been to Mexico before and even spoke Spanish so her “comfort” level was high.

That lasted for a good ten minutes after landing when she had her purse stolen. She was with her group waiting for a local bus to pick them up. They were all right in the main area of the airport with lots of people around. Maybe that was the problem. She had set her purse down for a split second and BAM- it was gone.

The local police could really do nothing. It wasn’t until she got back a few days later did she realize the damage done. The thief had managed to charge $2500 to one of her credit cards in the matter of a few hours before she had the wits to call the credit card company. In just a few hours mind you. An expensive lesson!!

So when you get ready to go on your family vacation this summer remember that safety for you and your possessions starts before you leave home.

1. Make sure you home has that “lived in” look. Have a neighbor get your mail and newspaper. Leave some lights on, but close your curtains.

ke Spanish so her “comfort” level was high.

That lasted for a good ten minutes after landing when she had her purse stolen. She was with her group waiting for a local bus to pick them up. They were all right in the main area of the airport with lots of people around. Maybe that was the problem. She had set her purse down for a split second and BAM- it was gone.

The local police could really do nothing. It wasn’t until she got back a few days later did she realize the damage done. The thief had managed to charge $2500 to one of her credit cards in the matter of a few hours before she had the wits to call the credit card company. In just a few hours mind you. An expensive lesson!!

So when you get ready to go on your family vacation this summer remember that safety for you and your possessions starts before you leave home.

1. Make sure you home has that “lived in” look. Have a neighbor get your mail and newspaper. Leave some lights on, but close your curtains

h lots of people around. Maybe that was the problem. She had set her purse down for a split second and BAM- it was gone.

The local police could really do nothing. It wasn’t until she got back a few days later did she realize the damage done. The thief had managed to charge $2500 to one of her credit cards in the matter of a few hours before she had the wits to call the credit card company. In just a few hours mind you. An expensive lesson!!

So when you get ready to go on your family vacation this summer remember that safety for you and your possessions starts before you leave home.

1. Make sure you home has that “lived in” look. Have a neighbor get your mail and newspaper. Leave some lights on, but close your curtains

The thief had managed to charge $2500 to one of her credit cards in the matter of a few hours before she had the wits to call the credit card company. In just a few hours mind you. An expensive lesson!!

So when you get ready to go on your family vacation this summer remember that safety for you and your possessions starts before you leave home.

1. Make sure you home has that “lived in” look. Have a neighbor get your mail and newspaper. Leave some lights on, but close your curtains

ly vacation this summer remember that safety for you and your possessions starts before you leave home.

1. Make sure you home has that “lived in” look. Have a neighbor get your mail and newspaper. Leave some lights on, but close your curtains. Consider leaving a radio or TV on. Make a list of credit card numbers and phone numbers for the card companies just in case you lose one. Have someone mow the lawn or shovel snow.

2. We all want our toys with us when we travel-cell phones, pda’s etc. but consider leaving them at home. Travel as lightly as possible. Cash, credit cards, passport can be carried in fanny packs carried in front of you or a hidden undergarment money belt. Make sure the fanny pack has a steel cable so it can’t be cut. When traveling overseas use traveler checks for added safety.

3. Never leave your bags unattended. Watch them like a hawk-ask my fianc?e for further guidance on this one. In airports this tends to make security personnel very uneasy. Unattended bags are easy mark for professionals who make a living off of others. Travelers are especially vulnerable at arrival and departure points-airports, train stations, bus terminals, boat docks where there is a lot of activity and confusion