When you’re preparing for an international trip, the excitement might have you daydreaming. In addition to organizing your itinerary, however, it’s important to take care of technical details like safety and protection. You don't want to be a target for thieves — or worse — when you travel abroad. Losing your wallet or arriving home to discover a shattered souvenir can spoil the joy of the trip.

How can you protect yourself and your possessions on an international trip? Safety begins with common sense and proper planning. Here are nine best practices to follow.

1. KEEP IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

Has anyone asked you to watch their bags at the airport? If so, this is a major faux-pas. If you ask around, experienced travelers will decline, because doing so violates trip safety rules. Plus, you risk a stranger making off with your stuff.

Always carry money and vital documents — like your passport — on your person. Use a money belt to secure essentials close to your body. If you drift off and someone reaches into your pants, you're guaranteed to wake up.

2. SECURE BELONGINGS WITH LOCKS

You can't carry everything — luggage is inevitable. Always secure your bags with locks, preferably the heavy-duty cable variety. If you bring your laptop or tablet in your backpack, add a lock to that bag, too. Protect the device from accidentally falling out of an unzipped pocket, plus you can deter thieves.

When you pack, remember to place your prescription medications and devices like glasses and hearing aids in your carry-on bag. You don't want to arrive in India to discover the airline sent your insulin to Beijing. If you use injectable drugs, such as biologics, contact the airline in advance due to liquid-carrying requirements.

3. UPLOAD INFORMATION TO THE CLOUD

You can't access valuable information if it's stolen or lost. Before departure, write down all your credit card numbers and insurance information. Store this data in a secure cloud server. You should also scan and upload copies of your passport.

If your wallet disappears, you can contact your financial institution to restrict use. If your passport goes missing, a backup copy will do wonders when you ask for help at the consulate.

4. CARRY MONEY IN DIFFERENT AREAS

If you plan to remain abroad for an extended time, carry considerable cash to avoid ATM fees. However, don't put all your eggs in one basket — or money in one location. One of the best tips to protect valuables while traveling is to bring only as much as you need at any given time.

If you're heading out shopping, conceal extra cash in a pair of specialty socks or a belt. Fill your wallet with only a few bills. If a pickpocket strikes, you won't lose your entire stash. Plus, when you haggle with merchants, they won't glimpse your huge bankroll and try to charge more.

5. MAKE A FAKE WALLET

Do you have old credit cards sitting around? If so, save them for your next trip abroad. One easy way to trip a thief is to create a fake wallet — one that looks like the real deal. In reality, it contains only expired items and a token amount of cash.

If a mugger strikes, use judgment. Throw the faux wallet away from you. When the miscreant dashes to grab it, run away and contact the authorities. If faced with a weapon, however, the safest course is to hand it over to avoid injury.

6. USE YOUR HOTEL SAFE

If you typically carry a wad of cash and credit cards, leave most in the hotel safe until it's needed. Keep your passport secured as well — very few countries require you to carry it at all times.

What about the hotel staff, however? Cleaning personnel often have a master key that can open any safe. However, using the hotel safe is more reliable than carrying vital documents on you. Plus, you can invest in gadgets that make your hotel room more secure — such as a safe lock, which adds another barrier to your valuables.

7. SHIP FRAGILE MEMORABILIA

You've escaped to Bhutan and bought a Buddha statue you know will look perfect in your living room. Yet how do you get it home? You could try to fit it in your luggage — but you run the risk of damage from careless baggage handlers.

Instead, opt to insure and ship valuables to and from your destination. Many high-end souvenir shops offer to do this for you. Arrange for someone to pick up your delivery stateside if your goods arrive home before you do.

8. CHECK INSURANCE COVERAGE

If someone steals your laptop from your car, you call your auto insurer, and they reimburse you for the loss. But what happens if it goes missing while overseas? The answer is travel insurance. Before you choose a policy, ensure it's valid at your destination and covers valuable belongings.

Remember to protect your health, too. If you're traveling to a developed nation, you can probably count on medical care. But if your destination doesn’t offer health care or has high costs, a small injury could be a big problem. Make sure you have major medical and evacuation coverage.

9. MEMORIZE CONTACT INFORMATION

If you lose everything while overseas, you need to know how to get back to safety. Program the number for the American consulate into your cellphone. However, if someone steals your device, you're out of luck. It's crucial to memorize specific contact information before you go.

Commit the numbers of the American embassy, the local emergency hotline and the nearest hospital to memory. You should also keep in mind the numbers of a few stateside loved ones. If something happens, reach out for assistance as soon as possible.

KEEP YOU AND YOUR BELONGINGS SAFE WHEN TRAVELING

Protecting yourself — and your stuff — while abroad requires common sense. Lock up your valuables, store essential documents in a safe space, and always make sure you have backups on hand. Carry a small amount of money in a few different areas. Plus, it can't hurt to keep a fake wallet on hand in case of an emergency. Memorize important contact info so that if the worst should happen, you can reach out to those who can help.

Whether you’re exploring a city or setting off on safari, travel safety for your possessions is a key concern. By taking certain precautions, you can prevent roadblocks and take a trip to remember.

About the Author

Alyssa Abel is an education and study abroad blogger with a passion for travel. Follow her @alyssaabelblog on Twitter.