Top 5 Tips for ‘Not Losing It’ When You’re On The Go

Top 5 Tips for ‘Not Losing It’ When You’re On The Go

Did you know that 1 in 3 cameras are lost on holidays? Over 35 000 Australian passports go MIA each year and a staggering 25 000 000 pieces of luggage are lost in airports every year!

Losing something important can be a holiday nightmare, so we asked the queen of lost’n’found, tracTAG’s Maree Machin, to share tips for minimising the risk of losing it while you’re away.

1: Spare Essentials

For many, lost or broken glasses would spell disaster. So would medication being left behind at last night’s accommodation.

Tip

If it’s an absolute essential, find a way to carry an emergency spare. You’ll be very grateful for those $5 magnifiers while you wait for your reading glasses to be found and returned. A 24-hour back-up supply and copy of vital prescriptions in your luggage could save a life.

2: List It

Phone chargers, toiletries and underwear are some of the most common items left in hotel rooms.

Tip

Write a list and / or take photos of the contents of your suitcase. Check your list before you checkout. Consider taping that list to the inside of your luggage. That way, it will be in your face every morning.

3: It's about the Rhythm

One of the joys of travel is that it frees us from our everyday habits. On the flip side, being out of routine makes misplacing and forgetting things nearly impossible to avoid. Savvy travellers create a travel routine. Simple, micro patterns work best.

Tip

Use a mantra. Every time you stand up to go somewhere say camera-wallet-phone as a mini-checklist. Try acronyms - I love PTB to make sure that my passport-ticket-boarding pass are top of mind in any airport.

4: Specialised Protection

Travel frequently includes some time around the water - like cruising Portugal’s Alto Duoro or the Greek Islands. And there are a 100 ways for things to end up in the water. Unless you’ve thought ahead ... wet = lost.

Tip

Sunglass float retainers will make sure that your specs don’t sink if they go overboard. Inexpensive but priceless, you can pick up a pair up at any boat chandlery or adventure sport store. Inflating key floats are worth seriously considering for your favourite hat or even a phone (in a splash proof case). And .... action cameras don’t have wrist straps. But, they do have optional float packs. Save yourself stress and money - have one of these handy.

5: Be a Beacon

Incredible amounts of personal valuables languish at airports, police stations, hotels and transit authorities all around the world. The only reason they’re not returned is because the owner can’t be contacted. If it’s valuable to you, find a way to have your contact details on it. Luggage, day pack, handbag, glasses case, wallet, travel documents, chargers, phone, camera.

Tip

Your name and email address is a minimum. Add some extras: + Instructions in the local language is an engaging and friendly gesture to the finder. + An international phone number makes you ‘local’.  + Carry spares. Create your own method or use a service that allows you to track your item no matter where it is in the world.

Whatever you use, make sure that your ID is visible, current, legible, not going to scratch, tear or peel and, if you can, localised.