Action Line: Tips help travelers stay safe on road, keep home secure
BY PHIL MULKINS World Action Line Editor
Sunday, December 16, 2012
12/16/12 at 4:00 AM
Dear Action Line: We're taking a Christmas trip and want to know how to prepare our house for burglar resistance while we're over the river at Grandma Wood's. - C.K., Tulsa
Master Lock LLC advises holiday travelers to make a thorough safety list and check it twice before departing and while in-transit to enjoy a safe and happy holiday season. It offers travelers tips on staying safe and security at home, on the road and in the airport.
A U.S. Bureau of Transportation's Research and Innovative Technology Administration report says 34 percent of Americans spend one to three nights away from home and the stress of driving in weather or heavy traffic causes safety precautions to be overlooked, said Rebecca Smith, Master Lock vice president of marketing.
A clean, well-lived-in place: In 2010, 1.8 million homes were burglarized, says a 2012 Opinion Research Corp. International report - 400,000 of those taking place November through December, according to 2011 Federal Bureau of Investigation statistics. Making the home look occupied discourages break-ins. Set timers for inside and outside lights to switch on and off, and turn a TV on to create the illusion someone is at home. Have your mail deliveries stopped ( tulsaworld.com/uspsmailstop), order a Tulsa World deliveries vacation stop ( tulsaworld.com/twpaperstop) and call in package delivery stops.
Don't post: Do not update social network accounts with your travel plans, giving notice of the unoccupied status of your home - bad news in the wrong hands. Wait to post photos of holiday fun until after you return home.
Check, check, hike: Before driving off, check the schedules and status of your flight, train or traffic route to learn of delays, bad weather, etc. Checking the status of your mode of travel keeps you prepared for delays and keeps you calm during the holiday rush. Double-check needed travel documents before leaving the house.
Activity and first-aid kits: Whether traveling by train or car, carry a first-aid kit stocked with bottled water, snacks, medication, bandages, a flashlight and cellphone charger. These help keep you nourished and your travel companions busy. Keep children occupied with fun games or movies to lessen driving distractions. Before traveling by car, have it inspected by a mechanic for vital systems problems.
Lock it down, carry it on: A reported 200 items are stolen daily from JFK Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world. Keep valuables such as cellphones, wallets, watches, jewelry, etc., safe by carrying them onto the plane and locking them up while on-the-go.
Security gizmos: Storage solutions like a Master Lock 5900D SafeSpace ( tulsaworld.com/ml5900dsafespace) are perfect for keeping these items secure. Use generic luggage, be mindful of wearing flashy jewelry, and dress down to prevent being targeted for theft. Secure checked and carry-on luggage with a TSA-accepted lock, such as the Master Lock 4688D Combination Lock ( tulsaworld.com/ml4688dcombolock) while traveling to prevent unauthorized access to your possessions.
Original Print Headline: Tips help travelers keep valuables safe
Submit Action Line questions by calling 918-699-8888, emailing phil.mulkins@tulsaworld.com or by mailing to Tulsa World Action Line, P.O. Box 1770, Tulsa, OK 74102.
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