Holiday Security Advice

When you go on holiday not only do you leave your home and belongings unattended, but also have the potential to become a victim of crime, either in this country or abroad. There are lots of ways to avoid counting the cost of crime while you're away.

Holiday Security is split into the following sections:

Your Home While You're Away
General	Help from your neighbours
While You're Away
Your Room	Driving
Your Money	Travel Documents
Travel Insurance	If you Have Anything Stolen
Security	Respect the local Environmet
The Law	Local Culture
Alcohol & Drugs

Your Home While You're Away:

Almost half of all burglaries happen when a flat or house is empty. By following the tips set out below, you can help to make your home secure while you are away. Read the tips here and plan ahead. Tick off the items just before you go.

• Make sure your home looks like someone is living in it. Don’t close your curtains – in daytime this shows the house is empty. Think about getting automatic time-switches to turn your lights on when it goes dark.
• Fit mortise locks or bolts to all outside doors, and locks to all downstairs or easily accessible windows.
• Cut the lawn before you go and trim back any plants that burglars could hide behind.
• Get a friend or neighbour to look after your home. They can collect your mail, mow your lawn and so on. This gives the impression that someone is living in your home. If you leave keys with a neighbour, don’t label them with your address.
• Don’t leave valuables, like your TV, hi-fi or video, where people can see them through windows.
• Do not put your home address on your luggage when you are travelling to your holiday destination.
• Cancel any milk or newspaper deliveries.
• Mark any valuable items with your postcode and house number using an ‘invisible’ pen that you can get from DIY shops. If your property is stolen, this will help the police to identify it if it is found, which might not only allow them to return it to you but could also provide them with better evidence to convict the people responsible.
• Make sure that you have up-to-date contents insurance.
• Lock the garage and shed with proper security locks, after putting all your tools safely away so they cannot be used to break into your house. If you have to leave a ladder out, put it on its side and lock it to a secure fixture with a ‘close shackle’ padlock or heavy-duty chain.
• Finally, lock all outside doors and windows. If you have a burglar alarm, make sure it is set and that you have told the police who has the key.

And just before you set off, its worth spending a couple of minutes checking that you've done all you had to do and taken everything that you need with you.

If you can, get a friend or neighbour to look after your home when you’re away, by collecting your post, drawing your curtains at night and generally making the place look lived in. Do not leave curtains & blinds closed during the day when you are out.

You can repay the favour by doing the same for them. Warn the neighbour who has your key not to put your surname, address or even your house number on your keys in case they fall into the wrong hands.

This advice is available in PDF format  (click image below to download Adobe Acrobat Reader) from the Home Office website for you to print off, and includes a slip for you to fill in, asking your neighbours to keep an eye on your home while you’re away.

Above all JOIN NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH!

While You're Away

Wherever you stay on holiday, you want to feel reassured that your accommodation is safe and secure.

• If you are not happy with your room, or don't feel secure in any way, don't be afraid to ask to be moved, even if it means going to another room.
• Rooms on upper floors are more secure as they are harder to break into from outside.
• The same applies to rooms away from stairs or fire escapes.
• Doors should be sturdy and secure. They should have solid locks and bolts. You should be able to secure the door from the inside so that anyone with a key cannot get in from the outside. They should also have a spy-hole and a sturdy chain.
• If you are unsure about anyone claiming to be hotel staff at your door, phone the front desk to check before letting them in.
• Check there have been no previous attempts to break into the room. Insure that sliding doors and windows are secure, especially if you are on the ground floor or have an easy accessible balcony (either from the floor or by climbing across from another balcony/fire escape)
• If there is a safe in the room USE IT. The programmable ones are best as only you know the code. Don't leave valuables laying around that could tempt hotel staff. Take valuables with you if you think they will be safer.
• When you leave the room, try to make it look like someone is in. Leave a TV on loud enough to be heard from the corridor or put a 'do not disturb' sign on the door and leave the light on. Leaving lights on will also help you feel safer when you return at night.
• Be aware that hotel owners have a certain amount of responsibility to ensure your property is secure. However, in the UK under the Hotel Proprietors Act 1956, if the hotel owners display an appropriate notice they can limit their liability to £50 per item or £100 in total. UK hotels cannot rely on this limit if the loss was caused by the negligence of their staff, although you would have to prove such negligence to make a higher claim.
  

For caravan security see the Vehicle security page.

• The safest alternative to cash is travel cheques. You can buy these from any bank or tour operator and cash them in at a bank or bureau de change at your destination, whenever you need money.
• You sign them when you buy them and again when you cash them in. As soon as you buy them make a note of their serial numbers and keep it separate from the travellers cheques. If they are lost or stolen, you can report it, along with the serial numbers, and they will be replaced. It is a good idea to give someone at home a copy of the numbers.
• Some people don't like travellers cheques because they loose out on the exchange rate - but better to loose out on a few pounds then all you holiday money.
• Another option is to use a credit card. You wont need cash or loose out on the exchange. Its always best to research before you go.

• Never leave them unattended in bags on the beach, in your hotel or at the airport or station - even if just for a few seconds
• Keep them in a secure pocket or in a concealed money belt and never in your suitcase or rucksack. If you have to carry a lot of money ask your partner or a friend to carry some for you.
• Be aware of your surroundings and look out for pickpockets - they're always on the look out for tourists
• Have all emergency telephone numbers handy, including the local police, so that you can report any theft immediately
• Don't carry all your cards with you – leave at least one in the hotel safe. If you lose or have your credit card stolen cancel it immediately by phoning the relevant 24-hour emergency number.
• Keep all exchange receipts, as you may have to prove you obtained your local currency legally.
• Ensure your credit card bills are paid and kept up-to-date whilst travelling.

Finally, consider where your money goes. Try and put money into local people’s hands; try local drinks rather than imported brands; stay in locally-owned accommodation and try to eat in locally-owned restaurants.

It is always a good idea to get travel insurance when holidaying abroad, or even in the UK. You will be covered for personal items as well as medical expenses.

• Ensure that your policy is valid for the whole journey and includes comprehensive medical and repatriation cover.
• Make sure you understand the limitations of your cover - e.g. any excesses
• Don't forget that a claim can be turned down if you are not looking after your property carefully - just like any insurance.
• Due to fraud, insurance companies are becoming more thorough. Take photos of any valuables and leave them at home - or better still leave your valuables at home!
• Before you buy insurance, check your home insurance to see if your personal possessions are already covered. This might mean that you can get a lower premium, or you may just have a lower excess on your home insurance.
• Check with your credit card company about insurance on purchases bought with your card. Many cards cover items for a short time, even if bought abroad.

• Be security conscious and take sensible precautions
• Be alert to unattended baggage in public places
• Look out for people acting suspiciously near ‘Western’ institutions or gatherings
• Avoid political and other demonstrations or gatherings
• Check cars and other vehicles thoroughly for explosive devices before use; especially if the vehicle has been left unguarded for any time
• Vary your route if making regular journeys
• Avoid unlit streets at night
• Carry only the minimum amount of cash that you need for the day
• Leave your valuables and spare cash in the hotel safe or other secure place
• Do not flaunt your (relative) wealth
• Never resist violent theft
• Check your guidebook, with your hotel or tour guide for warnings on local scams
• Keep abreast of the local and regional political scene in the media

• Find out about local laws and customs.
• Remember that the laws and procedures which apply are those of the country you are in, not the UK’s.
• Do not overstay your visa. You can extend your visa in most places; if you do not you can be imprisoned or fined.
• Do not work illegally. You can be deported, fined and imprisoned if you do.
• You may also be prevented from entering the country again in the future.
• Hobbies that involve the use of cameras and binoculars (like bird watching and train or plane spotting) can be misunderstood (particularly near military sites). If you are not sure, don't do it – it is not worth the risk of being wrongly arrested for spying.

• DO NOT get involved with drugs
• Obey local laws. Penalties are often severe and include massive fines and long prison sentences in grim conditions. You can receive the death penalty in some countries. We cannot get you out.
• NEVER carry packages through Customs for other people.
• Do not sit in anyone else's vehicle when going through Customs or crossing a border – always get out and walk.
• Always pack your own baggage and never leave it unattended.
• If driving do not lend your vehicle to anyone else.
• Do not give medicines prescribed for you by a doctor to people you meet on your travels.
• Be aware of the local laws and attitudes to alcohol.
• Do not try to import alcohol into a country where it is prohibited - penalties can be severe.
• Public drunkenness is frowned on wherever you are.

• DO NOT drink and drive.
• Make sure you know the driving laws, licence requirements and driving conditions specific to the country you are visiting - never presume that they are the same as this country, for instance some countries require you not to move your car if you are involved in ANY accident, even if it is blocking the road.
• Make sure your UK driving licence is current and valid. Some countries require you to hold an International Driving Permit (IDP) with your UK licence.
• If you are staying for an extended period of time or for any reason other than tourism check what the driving licence requirements are.
• Be aware that in many countries there are on-the-spot fines for traffic offences. Exceptions are not made for foreigners.

• Keep your passport in the hotel safe and carry a photocopy with you.
• Keep your travel tickets in a safe place.

• If your money, passport or anything else is stolen report it at once to the local police.
• Obtain a police statement about the loss: you will need one to claim against your insurance.
• Theft of money – phone your bank at home to transfer money or to cancel your credit card using the relevant 24-hour emergency number.
• Theft of traveller's cheques – contact the issuing agent.
• Theft of tickets – see your tour representative or airline agent.

• Think about what happens to your rubbish e.g. take biodegradable products and a water filter bottle to cut down on plastic waste.
• Help preserve local wildlife and habitats by respecting rules and regulations.
• Be aware that buying any wildlife souvenirs or products is highly risky – If in doubt don’t buy! See the UK Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Souvenir Alert! Campaign, which highlights the pitfalls of buying wildlife souvenirs abroad and also Trade Hotspots.
• Customs throughout the world confiscate illegal souvenirs and in the UK you could face a criminal prosecution and unlimited fines.

It is always a good idea before you go on holiday to find out as much as possible about the country you are travelling to, especially local law. Ask your travel agent or tour operator for as much information as possible, use the library and the internet

• Get a good guidebook. This will tell you about the country you are visiting. Find out about local laws, customs and culture.
• Take a phrase book and try speaking the local language.
• Respect local customs and dress codes. Think about what you wear and how you fit in. Ask your tour operator or guide if you are unsure.
• Be discreet about your views on cultural differences and behave and dress appropriately, particularly when visiting religious sites, markets and rural communities.
• Particular care should be taken not to offend Islamic codes of dress and behaviour with regard to sexual relations, alcohol and drugs.
• Always ask an individual’s permission before you take a photograph and respect their reply. In some cultures you should not attempt to photograph women.
• Don’t haggle too aggressively. In most countries where haggling is the norm, it is done with good humour and not for too long. Although prices are usually inflated for tourists, it’s also important to remember that the discount you are haggling over could be a few pence for you but a significant means of income for a seller.
• It is always best to err on the side of caution. Behaviour that would be regarded as innocuous elsewhere can lead to serious trouble.