20 Travel Safety Products And Tools You Need

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The world is a beautiful place, full of incredible opportunities and unreal destinations to visit. But to fully enjoy all of that, you also need to consider how to stay safe while traveling. As someone who has done a lot of traveling alone I already have a lot of solo travel safety tips I live by. But I also wanted to highlight some unique travel safety products and tools for traveling that might also help with an added level of protection, or comfort.

Travel safety products for anti theft and security

These products will help keep your personal belongings safe while you travel or make you feel more secure in your hotel rooms. The best defense is a good offense, so why not spend a little more before you go for a little more peace of mind while you travel.

A lock

If you’ve ever stayed in a hostel, you’ve undoubtedly shared a room with people you don’t know. While it’s good to believe everyone is the same decent person you are, it’s not always the case. So it’s only smart to bring a lock to secure your bags. Obviously this can help even if you’re not staying in a hostel. But hostels also often have lockers that need you to provide your own lock to use.

           

Anti theft backpack

It’s not practical to keep taking a padlock off your bag when out and about. So a good idea is to invest in an anti-theft backpack. Perfect to thwart pickpockets. I’ve been pickpocketed a couple times so this is one investment I would highly recommend.

                    

A hidden pocket scarf

When I travel I like to split up my cash and valuables. Instead of keeping everything in one place I will hide some money in different places (toiletry bag, books etc.). But when you’re out and about this hidden pocket scarf is perfect. With one or two zippered pockets, they are big enough to hide cash, cards or a passport.

Portable door lock

Staying in a hotel room alone? Add an extra level of comfort with a portable door lock. Slide one piece between the door and the door frame (over the lock area) and attach the other piece once the door is closed. Bonus: they’re super small to pack.

Wedge door stop

Similar idea to the portable door lock, but a little simpler. This small rubber door stop is easy to pack. When you’re in your hotel room, simply place the door stop under the edge of the door and the door won’t be able to open from the other side.

Impenetrable card holder

Instead of carrying a big wallet, why not downsize? And with the added benefit of credit card safety. How? It is impenetrable by RFID scanning technology whereby people can scan your wallet for your information. Sounds a bit James Bond, doesn’t it? But electronic theft is on the rise and this handy compact card holder might save you.

A fake wedding ring

As a solo female traveler, I hate that this is even a necessary item. But unfortunately unwanted attention (and aggression when it’s not reciprocated) will always appear when you least expect it. And while the “my boyfriend’s right around the corner” excuse is getting old, having a fake wedding ring might help. A simple, cheap wedding band looking ring to deter persistent admirers while you’re traveling.

Bagnet

I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again. This is my favorite online purchase in the last 5 years. Maybe ever. The stylish magnet attaches by a ring to your purse and sticks to anything metal. For me that’s usually a table leg so my bag stays out of the way from potential thieves.

A pen and paper or your phone

This might seem super simple but carrying a pen and piece of paper in your bag might help more than you know. If you’re feeling unsafe, use it to write a note to your server for help, or to jot down a description of vehicle, a person or a taxi driver’s badge number. If you don’t have a pen, don’t forget your phone has a camera on it!

             

Travel safety products for warnings

Sometimes a warning is enough. Enough to make someone rethink what they were going to do, or enough to let others know about your predicament. Consider carrying at least one of these handy travel safety products that may protect you from anything bad happening.

Alarm with light and sound

Carrying a personal alarm is a good idea. This simple alarm, when a button is pushed, makes a noise or flashes a light. This can let nearby people know that you are in trouble. They’re cheap enough and it may come in handy enough to save your life.

Whistle

Ideal to scare an attacker or take them by surprise. Blasting a whistle in someone’s face will give you extra seconds to take control of the situation. Small, easy to carry and effective, a whistle will also alert others to whatever you feel threatened about.

Personal safety alarm

A safety bracelet (like Safelet) can look like any other bracelet or a like a Fitbit. But there’s a hidden button that can be pushed if you are in trouble. And Safelet is linked to your emergency contacts so you can let them know something’s wrong. A non-bracelet version is called Revolar and can be attached in a variety of places to make it easily accessible to you.

Flashlight

Do you know the number of times I’ve been stood on a doorstep to a house or accommodation rental longer than I had to? And the reason: I can never find the lock to put the key in the door. Having a handy small keyring flashlight means you won’t be standing outside in the dark as long. It can also help show people you’re there or be used as a warning. And if you do have the option to have a weighted flashlight instead of the type for a keyring, then you can use it as a self defense weapon if you need to.

             

Travel safety products for self defense

Speaking of weapons and self defense, we’re now at the point in the post where I recommend some travel safety products that you hope to never need. I can’t stress enough that while some of these items might seem like a great idea, it’s best to do research your destination first and what can be classed as an offensive weapon vs. self defense item. Some weapons, like knives, cannot be carried in most places and you wouldn’t want to get in trouble or get it taken off you.

Safety kitty

The Safety Kitty keychain is a unique item. First of all it’s good to know that they are not legal everywhere, so check before you go. And you cannot take them on a plane or they’ll be confiscated. But this cute little kitty keyring will easily slip over your fingers and act as a weapon if you need it.

Your fingers go where the kitty’s eyes are and the ears are pointed and sharp, so you can jab your attacker. Simple. Effective. Even if you can’t find a kitty key ring you can often find kitty keyring making kits so you can create your own.

Lipstick pepper spray

Another one you should research restrictions before buying, but pepper spray can be helpful. Just make sure you know how to use it, and when you should use it. This one is unique in that it’s shaped to look like a lipstick. Compact enough for a purse, and not immediately evident to your attacker what you have.

Steel water bottle

Functional in more than one way. Who doesn’t want to save the environment by carrying a reusable water bottle? But if you get a steel water bottle, it can have a dual purpose and double as a weapon if needed.

Self defense classes

Plan for safety before you even leave home! Everyone should know basic self defense as much as everyone should know basic first aid. Both are survival tools that you are in control of. You don’t have to be a black belt in Karate, but even taking a class or two might keep you safer.

Travel safety apps

You don’t always have to carry something extra, it can be something you already have with you. Your phone. There are a number of different safety apps you can download to your phone and pin to your home screen for easy access.

Life 360

One of these apps is Life 360. It allows you to share your location, using GPS, with anyone so that they know where you are. It’s really helpful for solo travelers.

Scream Alarm

There are apps you can download that will mimic a high pitched scream so if you feel like you might not be able to scream yourself, or scream loud enough, the app can do it for you!

Google Maps

The app that’s already on everyone’s phone. If it isn’t, make sure you install it. Google Maps helps to make sure you’re going the right way when in a taxi. You can pinpoint where you are to stay safe and avoid bad areas. And since Google Maps can be used offline now you don’t even need to worry about racking up the data charges.

If you’ve found this post useful please share using the social media buttons below or leave a comment. Which of these travel safety products or tools will you use from now on?