Kamloops Victims Services: Travel smart and safe with these tips
In late winter and early spring, many people flee the cold and snow and travel to warmer climates.
This can be a wonderful experience unless it is interrupted by crime.
When travelling, there are some things that should be considered, which may help ensure a good safe holiday.
Before leaving for a trip out of the country, check with the Department of External Affairs website at voyage.gc.ca for an update of local conditions.
The site gives information about natural disasters, political unrest and potential dangerous areas and offers suggestions on having a safe vacation.
The information is gathered by the Canadian embassy or consulate in the country and is usually very reliable.
Notify your credit-card companies where you will be travelling so they can flag any unusual activity and investigate if necessary.
When abroad, use the same vigilance you would at home.
Carry money, passports and other important documents in a concealed money belt or pouch.
If possible, leave unnecessary valuables in a hotel room safe.
If there is none, consider placing money in a sealed envelope, signing across the seal and asking the desk to put it in the hotel’s safe.
Don’t display cash in public. Keep out only a small amount of cash and, when you need more, go discretely into your pouch and get it.
If using a bank machine, use one that is in a visible, well-lit, high-traffic area.
Keep photocopies of your passport’s information page, credit-card numbers and credit-card company phone numbers in a separate secure location.
Phone numbers for the Canadian consulate may be useful.
Burn or shred any documents that you no longer need.
Do not leave them in the hotel room.
Be wary of people who offer to act as guides or drivers unless a reputable tour company employs them.
They may be looking for unwary travellers to take to a secluded area and rob them.
Generally speaking, these type of tours are best booked through a travel agent before leaving Canada.
If you report a crime while abroad, get a copy of the police report so you can give it to the organizations that need to be informed upon your return.
For more information about safety while travelling, contact Kamloops RCMP Victim Services at 250-828-3223.
This article is part of a series of informational articles aimed at increasing public awareness about the services provided by the Kamloops Victim Services Unit. The Unit offers a variety of information and services, at no cost, to any victim or witness of crime or trauma. All unit members have received specialized, comprehensive training in victims’ issues, the criminal-justice system and crisis-intervention techniques. The unit is located at the Kamloops RCMP detachment at 560 Battle St., operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can be contacted at 250-828-3223.
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