Most holiday trips go ahead without incident, but accidents can sometimes happen. Holidaymakers can also be a tempting target for criminals. Even minor incidents can spoil your holiday, so follow our tips and advice to help ensure you have a happy holiday and return home unscathed. 

• Read the FCO travel advice for the destination you are travelling to, it will highlight any scams, kidnapping risks or other forms of criminal activity particularly aimed at tourists.
• Airports often attract pickpockets and other criminals so keep your passport, wallet and other valuables in a safe place i.e. not your back pocket!
• Pickpockets will also often be attracted to areas where they know there are large numbers of holidaymakers, such as popular landmarks and public transport routes to and from airports and train stations. 
• If there is a safe in your room, put your cash, credit cards and other valuables inside. Only take out enough for your day-to-day expenditure and one credit card as back up. If there is no safe in your room ask at reception if you can use the hotel safe.
• Ask at reception if there are any parts of town where you should be wary of visiting, particularly late at night.
• If you use a taxi, make sure that it a properly licensed official cab. There will be clearly signposted at official ranks at most airports or your hotel can order one for you. 
• Be wary of unsolicited offers of help from friendly locals, many may be genuine, others not so, but it’s simply a way to lure you into a false sense of security.
• Don’t tag your precise location on social media and remove any automated tagging options on apps you post from. 

Villa safety

• Get to know the surroundings within the villa and local area. If you’re unsure of anything contact your travel provider.
• Always lock doors and windows when the villa is unoccupied or at night.
• Keep any valuables locked within the safe(s) and arm the security system when leaving the property. 
• Keep valuable items on you on changeover day.
• Take note of safety and emergency notices and read any safety information in the ‘villa information book’.
• Ensure children are supervised around the pool and within the grounds of the villa.