While it’s always best to leave your valuables at home when going on vacation, there will still be things of value that you take…looking after them on vacation means that you have to get a little creative.
Check out our top hacks for securing your jewelry and other valuables – places where a would-be robber may not even think to look.
Safety first
Yes, your room safe is the best place to deposit your cash, valuables and passport, but what if you want to take items of value to the beach, out for the day on an excursion, or if you’re in a rental car? You need to know the best places to stow them safely away, somewhere to foil any would-be opportunistic thief. A robbery will ruin any vacation, so remember that prevention is better than cure, and take steps to avoid becoming a victim of petty crime.
Tip: While it’s common for many European hotels to hold onto your passport during your stay, it’s not the norm at all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean, so it’s up to you to keep it safe. Before leaving home, scan a copy of your passport and driver’s license, along with the front and back of any credit cards you plan to take, and upload them to a secure spot on the internet, like your Google Drive account. That way if they’re stolen, you’ll have the info needed to cancel credit cards accessible, and the US Embassy can help you get a replacement passport quickly from your copy.
Hacks to help
“Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed,
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn.
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Our hacks may help. These creative tips are worth bearing in mind for your next trip away from the safety of home – actually, they can be used there too.
Hiding valuables in plain sight is often the best method. Put yourself in a robber’s shoes for a moment – would you think of searching in these places?
Spice is nice
First on the packing list is some of the small sized Ziploc bags. Then take a jar of herbs or spice, empty it, wash and allow to dry. Paint the outside with glue, and roll the jar in the contents. The jar will be coated and look ‘full’ of spice or herbs. Then add your money, diamonds or whatever to the Ziploc and place inside. Keep the jar in plain sight, with other ‘souvenirs‘ you have picked up on holiday. Now that may seem like hard work, but it’s worth it.
Towel off
We’ve all rolled our dollar bills into our beach towels, but there’s a tech-savvy new kid on the block in the form of the Towelmate. (Editor’s note: Sorry folks, the company that made this product appears to be out of business, we’ll replace this with something suitable soon). This ingenious towel has a zippered and waterproofed pocket for your valuables, so a quick flick of your towel on the beach by Tom Thief will not result in your Rolex, well, rolling out.
So safe soda
In the [rental] car? Then please don’t place your cellphone, cash and other items of value in the glove box. It’s the first port of call for a wily robber. Take that empty soda can and use it instead – if you really cannot take your goods with you – and just leave it in the usual drinks holder.
You have it taped
There’s yet another use for good old duct tape. After you place your cash in Ziploc bags, use the tape to stash them in places – but be creative. Under a drawer is good, under the bottom, harder to reach, drawer is better. Inside throw cushions or underneath upholstery is fine, under the bed is NOT! If you catch the thief red-handed in the act, the duct tape might come into play again…time to call the police.
Is the safe, safe?
Room safe facilities at All Inclusive resorts tend to be secure. Ensure you are allowed to use your own personal code when you first use the room safe, and also that no-one is looking over your shoulder. Additionally, don’t put all of your valuables in one place – it’s better to spread them out. Wear what you can, when you can, and hide what you cannot. But remember, always be creative!
Tip: When using the room safe, use the longest digit-string the safe’s software will allow, and be sure to wipe the keypad with a damp washcloth after each time you open or close the safe – this will remove the residue left by your fingertips (and even clean hands will leave some residue), that can help a would-be thief figure out your combination.
Extra Tip: Be sure to read the comment below from Meg – she offers a great tip regarding older resort safes!
Have you any great hiding hacks or tips that you’d be willing to share? Do tell – we’d love to hear how creative you are at hiding your valuables on vacation, so drop us a comment below.