TRAVEL SAFETY ADVICE

Wether travelling at home or abroad, we have comiled these useful tip to help keep you safe!

Pickpockets love crowds!
Getting umped in to in a crowd may not be an accident. Keep your wallet, purse and other valuables, like your mobile phone, in a place that is hard to get to.

Pickpockets know the most likely places to look for your valuables. A wallet in the back pocket, or inside your jacet pocket for example.

Most pickpockets steal from from bags. Try to keep your bags to the front and keep them closed with the fastening towards the body.

If you've got it, don't flaunt it!
Always keep mobile phones and jewellery out of sight. Ensure your jewellery chains are concealed underneath your clothing.

Carry a phone card, charge card or change for the phone. If you lose your mobile phone and or Credit or Debit cards, you will need to inform your Network Provider or Credit Card Company that it has been stolen.

Don't tell them where you live!
Make sure you keep your keys separate from anything with your address on it. If you lose your keys with your address a thief will know exactly where to visit and if you are travelling, will know that your house is empty.

Don't look like a Tourist!
Check your bus route and destination before you set off so you know exactly where you are going and what you are doing. Try to wait for the bus, train or tram at a busy place, but be careful of large crowds.

Don't visibly carry a map or read a map in public. Doing so clearly shows that you are a tourist!

Travelling Abroad
Find out as much information as you can about the country that you intend to visit before you go. There is a lot of information available on the internet and bookshops stock guides to most countries.

The "Rough Guides" travel site provides a weatlh of free information for most popular destinations. Click here to visit the site

Make sure you know about the currency, language and any customs of behaviour and dress for each country you intend to visit.

Tell family or friends where you are going and make sure that you can contact them, and they can contact you by e-mail or mobile phone

Be careful with alcohol, avoid drugs and know your limit - you are much more vulnerable to accidents and crime after drinking alcohol and may not be covered by your insurance.

You should always try to be aware of what is happening around you, be vigilant and don't leave your drink unattended . If you are alone, finish your drink before going to the toilet.

Make copies of your flight tickets, passport, insurance policy and emegency numbers. Take a copy with you and leave it safely in your hotel room. Try to leave a copy with a family member or friend too.