Spring and summer are great times to take a vacation. As summer is nearing, you might be planning to travel out of town. Here are 4 tips you can use to keep yourself safe while you are away.

Keep your Home Safe and Protected:

People are so used to sharing everything on social media; however, if you are going on vacation, this can be a harmful thing to do. All who follow you will be able to see that you will not be home. This means that most likely, your house will be empty. If they like your post, then some of their friends will be able to see your post. Those other people may not have good intentions and could take advantage of your absence. Wait until after you are home to share those vacation pictures. Also, ask a neighbor that you trust to keep an eye on your house. They can let you, and the police, know if they see anything suspicious. In that same vein, letting the police know that you will be gone can be a good idea as well. They can drive by periodically to make sure everything looks good and safe. Lock your doors and windows. Investing in a timer for your lights is a good idea as well; since that can prevent leaving certain lights on or off the entire time you are gone. This can be obvious to potential thieves that know you are not home.

Protect your Identity:

Identity theft while traveling is a growing problem. Often, identity is stolen while people are using laptops, tablets, and smartphones on unsecured WiFi hotspots. People who want to steal information can do this relatively easily on public WiFi access points. If you do use WiFi at an airport or hotel, try to not do anything that involves sensitive information.

Protect your Wallet:

Nearly everyone carries credit cards, but did you know that using an RFID scanner is actually more common than thieves physically taking your card? Just by walking near you, a thief can scan your credit card information using a handheld device. To protect against this, carry your cards in an RFID protective wallet or purse. Also, make sure to keep an eye on your bank accounts.

Car Rental:

If you plan on renting a car while you are on vacation, make sure that you check with your auto insurance agent to see if car rentals are covered under your policy. If you are planning on driving overseas, then make sure that you have checked into the laws that apply in that country. Some countries will require an international driving permit. Those are the four tips to make sure your next vacation is safe and fun. Enjoy!