Security Systems For Frequent Travelers

By Author: Peter Rich
Total Articles: 4762
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Dangers for world travelers existed long before 9/11 and the recent years of airline security. For as long as there have been travelers, there have been people out there robbing them. Today you don't have to worry so much about highwaymen or bandits along the railways, but there are plenty of hotel burglars, pickpockets, muggers, armed robbers and scam artists to watch out for, wherever you're headed - and that means Americans going to Italy or Germans going to Miami.

There are security experts who have made excellent lists safety, security, health and self-defense tips that they teach to their clients who travel - and for which they get paid handsomely. The tips that work best are ones that are general, not specific to any particular mode of transportation and work everywhere in the world. Of course, there are some contemporary considerations - what is legal to carry on a plane, put in your luggage, bring into other countries, etc. - so you need to do your homework. Still, there are both intangible armaments (like strategies and planning) and actual ones (like devices and even improvised weapons), so security systems ...
... for frequent travelers include both "mental" and "physical" components.

Mental systems
The first thing you need on your side is good information. Knowing the region you are traveling to - its customs, highlights, lowlights and lowlifes - goes a long way to securing you on your travels. You can't know everything, of course, but even some cursory research will help you be more than clueless, which positively guarantees trouble. Know where you're going, learn the routes, find out how to dress inconspicuously and keep a low profile.

You should make a sort of "survival kit," a handy pack that is easy to hide and contains things that you will need if you lose everything else, get hurt or experience other untoward events. The design of the kit and the list of ingredients will vary according to your destination, but a small first aid kit, a gold Kruggerand or other internationally recognized item of value (even a travelers' check or two) and a copy of your ID papers are a few items you might consider.

On final "non-tech" protection you might consider is a "dummy wallet." A wallet with twenty dollars or so in small bills and some expired credit cards is a form of low-cost insurance against losing everything. Most of the time, muggers and robbers are in a hurry and won't look any further. Still, use your head and do not risk you life for your real valuables if your ruse doesn't work.

The tech side of travel security
Again, the number and type of devices you can take with you depends on how you're traveling and where you're headed. You will likely have to carry most of the following items in your checked baggage, meaning there will be times when you do not have access to your security devices. Fortunately, these times will be to, from and at the airport, where you should be able to remain in populated, secure areas and not be accosted by robbers.

Once you get to your hotel and unpack, your various security tools can be put to use. One that you can carry with you as you go sightseeing is a personal alarm. These small, pocket-sized devices run on batteries and, when the button is pressed, emit up to a 130db alarm sound that can be heard, literally, for blocks. There is no way that this will not attract an incredible amount of attention. The same principle is put to use in various "door" and "room" alarms.

Door and room alarms
There are several kinds of devices designed to protect you against intruders while you are in your hotel room. The first is called a keychain alarm, and today many of these have evolved into multifunction devices that can even be carried. They typically have a central hub unit from which a long tether is uncoiled, like a spring-loaded keychain. When attached to window or door hardware, they will cause the alarm (battery-powered, of course) to go off when the tether is pulled by someone trying to open the door or window. Again, a 130db alarm will be emitted, scaring the would-be intruder while summoning assistance, too.

There are also room alarms designed in the form of door wedges. When placed on the inside of a hotel door, these devices will not only stop the door from opening but will emit the alarm sound at the same time. These are single-use devices, but are superior to the keychain alarms in one way that may appeal to some travelers, and that is their ability to stop the door from being opened.

Other protections and summary
There are various motion detectors, mini-surveillance cameras and computer-connected sensors that can also be put to use to protect your vacation digs. Depending on your needs, you can fully outfit yourself for a very reasonable amount of money, with the most difficult part of the process figuring out exactly what you are allowed to fly with, bring into the country you're going to and use while you are there.

This brings us full circle to the first thing mentioned in this article - information. Once you learn about your destination, you'll be sufficiently equipped to put together the right security systems for your trip.
About Author:
An Alarm.com system is much more than an alarm. In addition to forwarding any home security system to the monitoring center for emergency response, Alarm.com lets you remotely monitor non-alarm activity at the property around the clock, even when the system is disarmed. Fully customizable settings ensure you get exactly the information you want, only when you want it.