Do you travel for business? Are you headed out on a vacation with your family? Do you simply have a long commute?
No matter what sort of traveling you do, it's important to understand a few basic loopholes in personal security that dishonest or dangerous people can (and will) take advantage of. As I write this I'm sitting in an airport waiting for my flight, so I've been reminded of a few things that most of us can brush up on before hitting the road or the tarmac.
- Keep your hand (or at least your eyes) on your baggage as much as possible. I wanted to say "at all times", but having traveled with a young child quite a bit, I know this can be impossible. *grin* However, keeping things close at hand means it's less likely you'll lose something, have something stolen, or have someone slip something unsavory into your bag.
- Don't allow children to go to the bathroom alone in a busy area. If you have young children of both sexes, don't be afraid to take them both into the ladies' room with you. I know some of you will balk at this - but what would you rather have to deal with: a five-year-old boy waiting with his mom for a bathroom stall or hearing a mom screaming for a child who has been abducted from the mens' room because he was sent in unsupervised? When my son is potty-trained, I plan to take him with me until I truly feel it's safe to let him go in unattended.
- Carry Wet Ones napkins (they come in individual packets now) or hand sanitizer of some sort. It's not a personal safety issue, true, but it IS a health safety issue. Public restrooms, chairs, tables...just think of the ooey, gooey things that someone could spread on there before you sit down or lean on it!
- The old adage "don't talk to strangers" still holds true. Granted there's nothing wrong with being polite if a seatmate on a flight starts a conversation, but remember to NEVER give out personal information unless you have really gotten to know the person well. Saying you're a nurse or a teacher is plenty; you don't need to tell them what school you work at, what grade you teach, what hospital you work at or what shift you work. If someone presses you for such information, don't hesitate to tell them flat out, "I'm sorry, but I don't feel it's a good idea to give that information to someone I've just met. With the way folks are these days, I'm sure you understand!" This is especially important for those of you who are military members or spouses, or who are affiliated with law enforcement agencies.
- This one's quick and simple: don't put address labels on your baggage. Put your information on the inside of bags and suitcases. If you have a hard time spotting checked bags, put a colorful ribbon or luggage tag on the handle, but don't fill in the blank card in the tag. Lastly, if you feel you absolutely, positively MUST put an address on there, use a business address or a PO Box on it. If someone legitimately needs to contact you, they'll send a letter to the address.
Happy trails! I'm off to my flight to, uh, somewhere. I'm sure you'll understand if I don't say where. 
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