- If you own a car, leave it in the garage and make sure it is locked
- The keys to the cars should be hidden somewhere in your house
- You can unplug the garage door opener to prevent anyone from opening it
- Tell people you trust that you will be away and invite them to park in your driveway
- Close all blinds and drapes to prevent people from looking inside
- Suspend newspaper and package deliveries
- Keep a light on in your house and use a timer to turn it on an off
- If it is the winter time, arrange for someone to clear your driveway of snow or ask someone to make car tracks in your driveway. You want your home to look lived in.
- Leave your house as clean as possible and consider hiding valuables
- Keeping your house clean helps us to solve the crime if your home is broken into
- If you have left someone responsible for your home make sure you tell them to report any crimes to the police
- If you are away for an extended period of time, contact your insurance broker to ensure your policy will continue to cover your home and car
Vacation Tips
Here are some simple tips that can help you stay safe and secure. Common sense should be your guide.
- The Government of Canada Travel website provides information about travel advisories to other countries, required documentation, consulate information, and recommended inoculations
- Notify the Canadian Consulate of your travel plans
- Say yes to travel and health insurance, anything can happen
- Meet with your doctor for advice on inoculations, medicine, or the prevention of diseases such as malaria, hepatitis, or the zika virus
- Ensure you have your doctor's original prescription with your medications and that the medications are in their original pill bottles
- Let your family and friends know your itinerary
- Get any required travel visas prior to arriving at your destination
- Do not travel alone at night
- When using taxi/cabs - always arrange the price prior to getting in
- Ensure the cab is a legal working taxi
- Always pack your own luggage no matter the circumstance and never leave it unattended
- Consider travel insurance that covers lost luggage, flight delay, trip cancellation and accident/health insurance
- Use your hotel concierge for booking excursions or trips or recommendations for restaurants, etc.
- Check your destination's local laws and customs prior to arrival. Local laws are different than Canada
- Never engage in any form of illegal activity or drug use
- The Canadian Consulate has little authority to intervene in local criminal matters if you get in trouble
- Be aware of your surroundings, if you feel that you are being followed, go to a place of safety
- Have fun and use common sense
- Wear a money belt or necklace
- Never leave expensive items in plain view to be stolen
- Do not wear jewellery or carry flashy expensive camera equipment
- Lock up all essential documents or items that you cannot do without in your hotel safe
- Try to travel in groups
- Notify your bank and credit card company of your travel so you are not locked out from accessing cash
- Always carry cash when going to remote areas as banks or ATMs may be difficult to find
- Have local currency prior to your arrival as criminals watch currency exchanges for easy targets
- Spread the cash you are carrying in different places
Travel documents and passports
- Carry photocopies of your passport or other important documents separate from originals
- Have electronic copies of your documents saved that can be accessed from any computer and ensure they are password protected