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It’s a good idea to keep identification cards for each of your children in your purse or wallet at all times — especially when you’re on vacation.
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Take some stress out of your next vacation with some advanced planning. From hiding a spare key on your car exterior to storing copies of all of your credit cards, try these ideas to help make your vacation, well, more of a vacation.
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Get identity cards for kids. It’s a good idea to keep identification cards for each of your children in your purse or wallet at all times — especially when you’re on vacation. Identification cards should include name, height, weight, hair color, eye color, date of birth, a photo and your contact information. In an emergency, you can let the card do the talking for you. Many police departments will provide child ID cards free of charge, or you can print up your own at home to tuck in your wallet.
Remember to lock up. This may seem like a no-brainer, but simply locking your vacation rental will go a long way toward reducing crime. By comparison, you wouldn’t dream of leaving your hotel room unlocked, would you?
Be vigilant. Look around and keep your eyes open. Tourists are easy targets, especially in popular destinations. Be wary of people approaching you on the street, because a typical ploy is to distract you with a story while you are being pickpocketed.
Store a key. Before you go, make a duplicate of your car key. Use a magnetic-backed key holder (available at many hardware stores in the key section) to hide the key on any metal surface on the exterior of your car, such as inside a wheel well. If you lock yourself out miles from home, you won't lose precious hours of vacation time.
Copy that! Make copies of all of your credit cards and the other valuable information in your wallet or day planner. Take a few minutes and photocopy both sides of all cards. Store one copy in your file cabinet at home. If your wallet is lost or stolen, you'll have a ready-made list of credit-card providers as well as contact numbers all in one place.
Check additional resources. Thinking of traveling abroad? All current travel alerts, as well as articles about safe travel, are on the Web site of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs.
Remember to travel smart — and have fun.
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