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(c) Elliott Publishing.

Leave Home Without It
Err Travel · July 3, 2002

In my training clinics and book, I recommend seven items - and only seven items - to pack for personal protection while on the road. Of those seven, I carry along the following five items every time I travel.

  • A flashlight to deny criminals the cover of darkness and to help in an emergency evacuation
  • A smoke detector to sound in case of a fire
  • Duct tape to seal a hotel room against smoke intrusion
  • A portable door stop to jam a hotel door shut
  • A cellular telephone to reach help
These articles are easy to carry, simple to use, and for the most part inexpensive. On the other hand, there are a whole slew of items of marginal utility on the market advertised as being necessary for safe travel.

At best, most of these will do little more than make your wallet lighter and your luggage heavier. In the name of "travel security" (and of course "profit") manufacturers have come up with some doozies, ranging from wallets that beep when removed from a pocket to briefcases that deliver powerful electric shocks when handled by the unwary. From these, I've listed here the bottom five travel security product categories.
  • Weapons. This includes knives, tasers, stun guns, pepper spray, Mace®, and of course handguns. A non-injurious deterrent can get you noticed, a weapon can get you dead.

  • Personal audio devices. Otherwise known as Walkmans® (Walkmen?), these gizmos can block out all but the loudest noises around you. Awareness of your surroundings and Aerosmith at 120 decibels are not compatible.

  • Fancy electronic burglar alarms. Instead of spending up to $100 and having to schlep around some battery-powered doohickey, make your own alarm on the spot by stacking trashcans, water glasses, or whatever in front of your hotel room door.

  • Reinforced steel-cable carrying cases. These extra-tough bags can prevent criminals from cutting through them to separate you from your belongings. The problem is that they may still race off with your goodies while you're still attached.

  • Fake book- and can-safes. Hotel burglars often have all the time in the world to rummage through the items you leave in your room. And they know all the hiding places including the fake book and phony can.
Like your expensive watch, items in these categories are best left at home while traveling.

Dr. Terry Riley is a psychologist and travel security authority. He is author of the popular book Travel Can Be Murder. Visit his site at http://www.appliedpsychology.com or e-mail him at terry@ticked.com.