I’ve traveled alone on five continents. While I like to think I’m adventurous, I also appreciate being safe, too. Here are some of the products I rely on for extra security.
- Doorstopper alarm…or just a doorstop
The Lewis N Clark Travel Door Alarm ($14) is a portable alarm that hangs from your room’s doorknob and emits a loud sound if the door is opened.
The Addalock ($18) will prevent a door from being opened, even if someone has a key. Both the door alarm and door lock are good for Airbnbs; you never know who else has a key.
If neither appeal, consider using just an ordinary doorstop. It keeps people out when you’re in your room and costs only three bucks.
- Clothing with a hidden pocket or an upgraded money belt (bra stash, anyone?)
Europe and much of the rest of the world is fairly safe when it comes to violent crime. Not so much when it comes to petty theft; bag-snatching and pickpocketing can be rampant in places where tourists gather.
Here are 20 products that will protect your money, credit cards, and electronics. Pants, shirts, scarves, money belts, underwear—it really doesn’t really matter which item you choose; they all do the job of keeping your stuff safer than it otherwise would be.
- Personal alarm…or just a whistle
A personal alarm is a small device that has either a grenade-like pin you pull or a button you push. The device then emits a heck of a racket that (you hope) scares off your attacker or attracts other people to help you.
There are many options; I chose this pull-the-pin model ($23) in white. It blasts out an alarm at 140db (painful!) that can be heard up to 600 feet away and lasts up to 50 minutes. Batteries are good for a year.
If you don’t want to carry an alarm, consider a safety whistle ($6/2).
Mine came in handy when I lost my paddle in the middle of the ocean while surfskiing in Australia. Two loud blasts alerted the surf lifesavers, who paddled out to rescue me. It also saved me when I was chased by aggressive macaques (a type of monkey) in Lopburi, Thailand; a few blasts kept the gang at bay. Finally, I was happy to have it after managing to lock myself in the bathroom on a train in Hungary (enough said about that).
- Small flashlight
Because I don’t want to have to find my phone (or be caught with a dead phone battery) when the lights go out, this $7 model is by my bedside wherever I go. It also comes in handy when I lose something—like my phone!—in the depths of my airline or rental car seat.
- Fake wedding ring
The idea is pretending to be married when you’re not helps prevent unwanted attention and advances. I usually wore one when single and traveling alone. It seemed to be effective; I was hassled more on the trips when I didn’t wear it.
I like this silicon model ($8-$12), and wear it now while traveling, even though I have a ring from Husband. (Less bling means less attention from would-be thieves.) I also wear it while doing sports; saves my gold rings from being scratched or bent while I’m at the stables or lifting weights.
- ID bracelet/necklace
An ID bracelet or necklace has your emergency info engraved on it. Can’t be updated if the info changes, but it’s readily seen by rescuers and medical personnel. I wear this Road ID band when I’m traveling solo as well as when cycling or skiing.
7. Personal GPS trackers…or a tracker app
A GPS tracker shares your live location with others, such as family or friends. Besides showing your real-time location, it also has an SOS button, which when pushed sends an alert to your emergency contacts. I like the Tracki: it’s lightweight and costs only $17.
Alternatively, you can download an app (I use Life360) that allows you to share your location with others. The only drawback is if you’re somewhere with no mobile reception, it doesn’t work (and constant tracking can really burn through your battery).
Twist’s Take: Female and traveling solo? Pick up some or all of these items for a bit of extra safety.
