What Safety Measures Do You Take

What Safety Measures Do You Take

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Was thinking it would be a good idea for others to share their personal safety tips.

My safety tip is that I never carry a purse in Mexico or anywhere else now. I was amazed at how easy it was to just put necessary things in my pockets. I also carry money in three different places just in case I am robber. Although it's never happened.

Jean
Retirement Communities
http://www.retirecommunities.com

Mar 11, 2006, 9:15 AM

Post #2 of 57 (2835 views)

Re: [Jean] What Safety Measures Do You Take

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If you have small pockets or too many "appliances", the next best thing is to carry a "bagolini" - a little purse with a long strap that can be worn bandolier style across the opposite shoulder with your arm firmly anchored over it.

Be aware of your surroundings while shopping. It's not hard to see when you're being followed around. Usually, the follower will disappear when he/she knows you know.

I've been on some bus trips lately where I'm amazed at the foolishness of women who are planning to go shopping in crowded areas and are wearing expensive jewelry for the occasion. Men and their shiny Rolexes, too. To me, that is making a target of yourself, and who are you going to impress, anyway? The other bus trippers?

Ultimatley, carrying an ouzi will do the job....but there are problems inherent in that approach.

(This post was edited by Gringal on Mar 11, 2006, 9:17 AM)

Jean

Mar 11, 2006, 10:10 AM

Post #3 of 57 (2813 views)

Re: [Gringal] What Safety Measures Do You Take

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Ultimatley, carrying an ouzi will do the job....but there are problems inherent in that approach.

Too funny!!!

Good tips though.

Jean
Retirement Communities
http://www.retirecommunities.com

Gary Anderson

Mar 11, 2006, 10:47 AM

Post #4 of 57 (2800 views)

Re: [Gringal] What Safety Measures Do You Take

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Pants or shorts with cargo pockets - the velcro fasteners on the flaps make a good early warning device. As Gringal says, don't flash your cash - that's just asking for problems. A fanny pack instead of a purse makes sense to me, but being a guy, what do I know?

BTW, did you mean "uzi" or "ouzo?" One is an Isreali machine gun; the other is a Greek liqueur. :-)

GA
____________________________________________________________
"There was only one catch and that was Catch-22 . . . ." - Joseph Heller

Mar 11, 2006, 2:50 PM

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Re: [Gary Anderson] What Safety Measures Do You Take

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Based on the taste of the booze, it would be tough to choose which is more deadly.
You're right. It's uzi.

Bubba

Mar 11, 2006, 3:56 PM

Post #6 of 57 (2744 views)

Re: [Gringal] What Safety Measures Do You Take

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My tip is to always carry a purse but only put in there things you can afford to loose a wallet with change and a couple of bill no more than 200 pesos. Never carry credit cards unless you are on your way to an ATM or a place where you will use it.
Put your drivers license and the rest of your money on your person, in pockets etc.. I started doing this in New York after getting pickpocketed twice on the Park Avenue at 8 in the morning while crossing the street. I think it is better to distract the thieves with a nearly empty wallet than advertise that the money is in your pockets.
Another tip when going to the tiangui is to carry a small wallet in your hand and have no purse. I do not find Mexico worst than any other country on that subject. Always a good idea not to have more than you can afford to loose.

misslyn

Mar 12, 2006, 11:21 AM

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Re: [Jean] What Safety Measures Do You Take

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This is a good thread, hope it will attract more responses. I always used to travel with a backpack and had no problems, but only due to good fortune I'm sure. Not very smart to carry everything on your back, although it is handy for school books and the like. Cargo pants are an excellent idea as is the small purse/long strap, but I'm not so sure about the fanny pack. It's easily unsnapped from the back and could be gone before you know it.

Question: If you're staying in a hotel, do you use the hotel safe for your passport, credit cards and other valuables? An in-room safe I would think yes, but I'm not so sure about the other.

Lyn in San Diego

kittythegm

Mar 12, 2006, 11:42 AM

Post #8 of 57 (2648 views)

Re: [Bubba] What Safety Measures Do You Take

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The best "safety measure" is that which sits squarely on your shoulders. In other words think and be aware of the situations that you might be placing yourself in.

Having lived in China, Japan, the Phillippines, India and Malaysia during my pre-adult years and traveling all around this world, I learned that your brain was your biggest weapon. During all of these experiences - I was never robbed, attacked or made to feel uncomfortable. I can honestly say that this is also true for my visits to Mexico. On the other hand, I was bumped and knocked into a snow bank in front of a Marriot in Boston losing my wallet and again was pickpocketed in my 4 star hotel on Central Park in New York. In reflection, both times I was not paying attention because I was in familiar surroundings. Being in the United States does not assure your safety from either petty or major crime and remember there are more crooks in possession of guns here.

Wallets in front pockets, especially those with velcro, button or zipper closures are good. Purses are OK provided they have a zipper or strong closure and one keeps a strong grip on them. Money clips with drivers license, credit cards and money can be good in front pockets. A well designed and inconspicuous money belt can be great for an emergency stash.

Fanny Packs? Is this not the first sign that you are a tourist or a foreigner? A knife or razor blade to the belt portion makes this just as easy to grab as a purse! Besides a thief or crook generally has a good idea exactly where all of your valuables are!

Bubba is right - NEVER HAVE MORE ON YOU THAN YOU CAN AFFORD TO LOSE!

DoDi2

Mar 12, 2006, 12:13 PM

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Re: [kittythegm] What Safety Measures Do You Take

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I like a shoulder stap and a purse I can hold hold on to. Money I'm going to be taking out and using goes into a small wallet. I don't generally carry more money than I plan on spending, but if I have too then I figure that's why God gave me good cleavage.

Mar 12, 2006, 12:26 PM

Post #10 of 57 (2623 views)

Re: [kittythegm] What Safety Measures Do You Take

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Oh my - you just got me started on fanny packs. I think they're fine for people jogging in gated communities with armed guards at every corner. Otherwise, they're both useless and unsightly. My mental picture is overweight tourist wearing shorts, logo'ed too-tight tee shirt and fanny pack over the belly area in front. Add to this the bulbous Minnie Mouse style walking shoes and you've got the "unbelievably ugly American". There's something to be said for the burkah. You could hide anything from thieves under there. A suitcase of money or a young goat.

More to the point - my spouse wears the standard photographers' field jacket with so many pockets inside and out that a thief wouldn't be able to find the goods for ten minutes if the man were tied to a chair. In fact, esposo can't find his own money some of the time. When the car keys pull a disappearing act, it's hard to suppress a noisy giggle. It is, however, a fine place to put goodies - in the inside pockets. At the same time, it gives me a place to stash my essentials. I try to restrain myself so it won't look like I'm walking along beside an ambulatory inflated life jacket.

kittythegm

Mar 12, 2006, 12:37 PM

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Re: [Gringal] What Safety Measures Do You Take

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You forgot to mention the Nametag stuck on the shirt from the cruise ship or tour bus that the fanny pack users generally have! Might as well put a tattoo in the middle of their foreheads!

jennifer rose

Mar 12, 2006, 1:36 PM

Post #12 of 57 (2595 views)

Re: [Gringal] What Safety Measures Do You Take

I'm not about to start dressing as if I'm off on safari in the jungle, just because I live in Mexico. How many locals do you see dressed in combat gear when they're out and about on business, going to lunch, shopping or just plain socializing? Most of the woman are carrying purses, wearing jewelry, and dressed accordingly. I try to dress like them, putting on good clothing and makeup even to go to Costco.

I'e worn my Rolex every day, as well as gold earrings and a diamond ring, for more than the past two decades, and I don't even take them off if I'm working in the yard. The way I see it, those things are safer on my person than stashed away. And if they're dirty, who's even going to guess that they're not fake?

Some of these gringos, IMHO, can get awfully darn silly when it comes to dressing the part. Your best line of defense is your brain, just as kittythegm pointed out. An attitude will get you a long way. Acting like you know where you're going is going to provide far more protection than any fanny pack. I've taken to snickering at these foreigners who try to dress down, thinking they're wearing camouflage, while they pull out one expensive electronic after another, all of which are far more obvious -- and valuable -- than any Rolex.

NEOhio1

Mar 12, 2006, 1:39 PM

Post #13 of 57 (2594 views)

Re: [kittythegm] What Safety Measures Do You Take

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I have found the easiest wallet to keep track of in the house and on my person is a 3x3 zippered red wallet attached to my key ring, with a clear pocket on the outside for drivers license. It is bulky, obvious in my pocket and heavy enough I would feel it leaving my front pants pocket - not to mention noisy to remove with 2 car keys, 2 house keys, and the remote fob for the car doors. Also can be clipped to a front belt loop and unzipped without removing it.

Also, just in case I should be robbed when travelling long distance by car I put emergency cash in a baggy and a ATM card in a baggy and tape with duct tape to the undercarriage with an extra key to the car. Learned that from my Dad who told me he'd always done it for us girls when we travelled, he could tell us about it when the roadside emergency phone call came. I sold a car without telling him and it had $500 taped onto it, sold the car for $350.

My biggest adjustment safety-wise is locking doors when we leave the house. At 50 I have never locked a house door, as a kid, young married, or adult homeowner. Even on vacations, doors wide open. So house keys and locking are my weakest safety adjustment.

kittythegm

Mar 12, 2006, 2:36 PM

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Re: [NEOhio1] What Safety Measures Do You Take

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Speaking of Crime - what safety measures did my friend below make?

Latest scam, this one is real! Read and be alert. I was victim of the latest
> scam which is happening in airport parking lots in PHX and LAX.
>
> Two good looking young women come to your car as you are parking or waiting,
> one starts wiping your windshield with a rag and the other comes to your
> window and bends over so far her breasts fall out of her blouse. While you're
> distracted, the other one lets herself in your back door. Then both start begging
> you for a ride home, out loud, for any bystanders in the area to hear. Be very
> wary, because as soon as you start driving, one of them will take off her
> shirt and rub her breasts on you while the other climbs over the seat and unzips
> your pants.
>
> This is when they try to steal your wallet.
>
> I was robbed last Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I couldn't find
> them on Saturday.

Foretold is Forewarned!!!

Mar 12, 2006, 2:41 PM

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Re: [jennifer rose] What Safety Measures Do You Take

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It's refreshing to hear from a woman who takes pride in her appearance, even for a trip to Costco. Too many ladies are dressed for sitting at their breakfast table, even when dining out at fine restaurants.

The photographers' field jacket has been standard casual street wear for some time, here or in the states. I doubt anyone considers that safari wear.

raferguson

Mar 12, 2006, 6:19 PM

Post #16 of 57 (2538 views)

Re: [Jean] What Safety Measures Do You Take

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I keep my passport and a credit card (with ATM access) in a pouch inside my shirt. I keep my wallet with a couple of credit cards in my front pocket.

I often leave valuables in the hotel safe, such as airline tickets in the days before electronic tickets, or passports if I was going on a river trip. In Mexico city, I generally leave passports, credit cards, ATM cards, you name it, in the hotel safe, and just travel with the cash I need that day.

I like to research any special scams or hazards before I go, whether I use the US state department website, travel book, or whatever. There are things I do without thinking in most parts of the world that are potentially hazardous in Mexico City, for example.

In many places, daytime is safer than night time.

Richard

http://www.fergusonsculpture.com

jennifer rose

Mar 12, 2006, 8:03 PM

Post #17 of 57 (2512 views)

Re: [raferguson] What Safety Measures Do You Take

I cannot imagine leaving the doors to one's house open, anywhere, anytime. Here are some more measures, which really should be on autopilot:

1. Keep the doors to your house locked at all times. And that goes for the gate, too.
2. As soon as you get into your car, lock the doors. That should be as automatic as remembering to close the car door.
3. Put your purse or briefcase on the floor of your car, not on the seat next to you.
4. Do not engage beggars, peddlers, and everyone else who comes knocking at your gate in conversation. There's a reason many houses have intercoms and closed-circuit camera systems. Under no circumstances and no matter how intriguing their tale may be, do not admit them to the premises.
5. On the street, do not engage beggars, peddlers and everyone else who has a tale of woe in conversation, and don't start digging into your shorts for a peso or two for everyone who asks. Take cues from others around you, and follow their lead. Resist the gringo temptation to act friendly.

It's better to be considered rude than robbed.

Mar 13, 2006, 6:19 AM

Post #18 of 57 (2467 views)

Re: [jennifer rose] What Safety Measures Do You Take

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The recent activity in SMA (and its everywhere, just getting notorios there) would support the soundness of your advise. We tend to think that, since we are good people, if we mind our own business then the bad guys who operate in their own world will not cross into our world. Truth is: bad things happen to good people. Situational awareness is so very important, and one musn't under any circumstances think that by virtue of being a tourist that we somehow have a protective force field surrounding us. Oh ,best safety measure for me is a Colt 38 Super in my waistband.
Alex

(This post was edited by alex . on Mar 13, 2006, 6:22 AM)

Mar 13, 2006, 6:24 AM

Post #19 of 57 (2461 views)

Re: [kittythegm] Booby trap

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Sounds silly to me, but if it DID happen to me I'd call it a fair trade ;<)
Alex

(This post was edited by alex . on Mar 13, 2006, 6:26 AM)

1ajijic

Mar 13, 2006, 6:26 AM

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Re: [alex .] What Safety Measures Do You Take

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Bring that to Mexico and you'll make some new friends and get a new name or worse. The authorities want to be the only ones with guns and are quick to respond to anyone who doesn't agree.
http://www.newbeginningsmexico.com

Mar 13, 2006, 6:29 AM

Post #21 of 57 (2454 views)

Re: [1ajijic] What Safety Measures Do You Take

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I know of no one who does not own at least one gun, no one.
Alex

1ajijic

Mar 13, 2006, 6:37 AM

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Re: [alex .] What Safety Measures Do You Take

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Owning a gun and walking the streets with it in your waisteband are two entirely different things. Go ahead and if you're lucky you can pick a new name, maybe Maria, Lucia, Consuelo........
http://www.newbeginningsmexico.com

1ajijic

Mar 13, 2006, 6:42 AM

Post #23 of 57 (2448 views)

Re: [1ajijic] What Safety Measures Do You Take

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BTW look up the 60 Minute spot on the guy who had a bullet in his suitcase when he crossed the border. It took his wife six months to buy him out of jail. And if you bought your gun south of the border, before you use it, make sure you have all the paperwork from a legit dealer. Otherwise it was probably used in a crime and you're in for another surprise.
http://www.newbeginningsmexico.com

Mar 13, 2006, 8:08 AM

Post #24 of 57 (2419 views)

Re: [1ajijic] Are you sure?

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http://en.wikipedia.org/...n_politics_in_Mexico
Alex

(This post was edited by alex . on Mar 13, 2006, 8:09 AM)

Papirex

Mar 13, 2006, 8:23 AM

Post #25 of 57 (2407 views)