This post was originally published on The Social Commerce Mom blog on 12/18/12. The products mentioned below were received as samples in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
I’d like to share with you a review of two products you can use to protect your tech & valuables while you are traveling for the holidays. But first, I’d like to share some holiday traveling tips that Master Lock also provided me with.
“Inclement weather and an abundance of travelers can make heading out of town to see loved ones for the holidays a stressful experience where safety precautions are often overlooked.” said Rebecca Smith, vice president, marketing for Master Lock. “By planning ahead and taking the time to think through proper safety and security measures, travelers can ensure the holidays are spent focused on good friends and family.” To keep the home and family secure during the holiday season’s hustle and bustle, Master Lock offers five tips to help travelers keep safety top-of-mind:
1. Keep that lived in look. In 2010, more than 1.8 million homes were burglarized, with 400,000 of those burglaries taking place between November and December. Making the home appear active while away can discourage potential break-ins. Set a timer for both inside and outside lights to switch on and off and turn a radio or TV on to create the illusion that someone is home. Hold your mail deliveries at usps.com, and contact your other providers to stop newspaper and package drop-offs while you’re away.
2. Toast don’t post. Resist the temptation to update your social network accounts with travel plans to avoid having the news of the unoccupied status of your home fall into the wrong hands. Instead, spend that time in the company of friends and family toasting to health and happiness, and wait to post photos of holiday fun until you return home.
3. Check (Twice) Before Travel. Before departing for a holiday destination, check the schedules and status of your flight, train or traffic route to stay aware of delays, bad weather and other potential changes. Checking in on the status of your method of travel will guarantee you are prepared for any delays and keep you calm during the holiday rush. And don’t forget to double-check your travel documents before leaving the house.
4. Activity and Emergency Kits Are Key. Whether traveling by train or car, always carry a first aid kit stocked with bottled water, snacks, medication, bandages, a flashlight and cell phone charger. Should you encounter a problem or a long distance between rest-stops on your route, these items can help keep you nourished and your travel companions busy. Keep children occupied by bringing fun games or movies to lessen driving distractions. If traveling by car, have it inspected by a mechanic or someone you trust before a long journey to make sure all systems are primed and tires are filled.
5. Lock It Down & Carry It On. A reported 200 items are stolen each day from JFK Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world. Keep your valuables including cell phones, wallets, watches/jewelry and other important property safe by carrying them with you at all times and locking them up while on-the-go. Storage solutions like the 5900D SafeSpace™ are perfect for keeping these items secure. In addition, use generic luggage, be mindful of wearing flashy jewelry and dress down to prevent being targeted for theft. Secure checked and carry-on luggage with a TSA-accepted lock, such as the 4688D Combination Lock while traveling to prevent unauthorized access to your possessions.
Of course my review is most closely related to Tip #5. I got a chance to review both the 5900D SafeSpace™ ($27.59) and the 4688D Combination Lock ($9.21).
Here is the combination lock in its packaging:
The 4688D Combination Lock is unique because it is TSA-approved and designed to go around your zippers and straps without damaging them.
I must admit that it took me a minute to get the little strap part out of the lock so I could wrap it through my zippers. Once I got the hang of it, it was pretty easy from then on. Unlike traditional locks, you can fit this onto your luggage when you travel. I have to tell you that when I traveled to NY, my bags never came with me. It took me a whole day for them to deliver them to me and I was worried about the items I had in the bag (that was checked curbside with a tip, no less). One of the straps had been ripped and I was fearful to find out if anything was missing. Fortunately, everything was there but imagine it wasn’t. I had no locks on my luggage and someone could’ve easily gotten into them. Having this lock on your luggage can help give you some peace of mind. I used the lock on my bag as we traveled to a family’s house in Orlando recently. I have a nephew that works in the luggage area of the airport there, and he tells us stories of people’s bags opening, etc. when being bounced around the belts. Having a lock can prevent zippers from coming loose as they are shuffled about. And being a blogger, I should mention that this lock can help lock up your larger valuables like your laptop and ipad.
I also reviewed the 5900D SafeSpace. I have to tell you that I am somewhat fascinated by it as I am in development of a similar product.
It is like a miniature, portable personal safe. Rather than stowing things away at home, you can now lock them up while you are out and about.
The combination was easy to set. I just needed to figure out which button opened it and which one released the cable wire. Fortunately the buttons have arrows on them to tell you where to push. The left one releases the cable and the right one opens up the top. The rubbery piece on the button of the picture is actually a protective covering that you put back in place.
A very cool feature of this product is that it has a built in cable that you can latch onto tables. This is similarly to the laptop cables. This is especially good for when you are visiting public places an spaces with your tech stuff.
This model comes with enough space to place items like your cell phone, mp3 player, small camera, flash/usb drives, external hard drives, SD cards and more! There is some minor cushioning inside to keep the items from scratching. I think it would be nice to have something to secure the items within the case. As you can see, two or more items can easily rub against each other and perhaps scratch each other if you are traveling in motion with it.
For more information about these safe holiday travel and security solutions, please visit the Master Lock website at www.masterlock.com or the Master Lock Facebook page at www.facebook.com/masterlock. Visit http://www.mastervault.com to utilize the free, secure online data storage website and smart phone app for easy access on the go – an ideal place to keep important account information, passwords and other private information.
Disclosure: I was not monetarily compensated for this post, but I did receive the items to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own.
These are great tips for keeping your home and valuables safe while you are away. Both products you reviewed sound like they will work very well at protecting your stuff. Thanks for the tips.
These are good tips, especially about getting a combo lock for luggage (which I never would have thought of!). Especially agree about not posting about your vacation plans on social media, I’ve heard a number of stories about people posting about how they’ll be leaving such and such date on their vacation and then come home to find their homes were burglarized! Thanks for sharing!
Those are some good tips. Some people are way to connected and tell on the computer. Some fall short of giving the house number and the best time to break in.
Great trips to use when planning a vacation away from home, and also for during the trip.
ilike thsi when i went to ohio on the bus and then i used pad locks on my luggage and then i have not seen this one but will look in to them
Great tips!! I would’ve never thought to not post on social media but you are so right!! That’s like an open invite to an empty house!!
On the news the other day, they had similar tips. They also showed how easy it is to break into your suitcase with those little combination locks that lock the zippers together. Also a suggestion to turn off your location on Faceboook. It really is no one’s business!! Good tips!
I believe this internet site has got very great indited written content posts.
Very nice post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wished to mention that I’ve truly enjoyed surfing around your blog posts.
Si está buscando un buen préstamo personal o un préstamo rápido, consulte esta página.
Needed to write you this very small word to help thank you very much yet again with the superb tricks you have shown on this website. This is so unbelievably open-handed with you to offer unhampered what most of us would’ve offered for sale for an ebook to help make some money on their own, precisely seeing that you might have tried it in case you desired. Those tactics in addition worked to become good way to realize that some people have the identical keenness similar to my personal own to realize significantly more when it comes to this matter. I believe there are several more pleasant sessions up front for people who scan through your site.
Thanks for your own work on this website. My mother take interest in setting aside time for research and it is simple to grasp why. My spouse and i notice all relating to the powerful way you provide efficient ideas by means of the blog and as well cause contribution from other ones about this article and my child is being taught a great deal. Enjoy the remaining portion of the new year. You’re the one carrying out a fantastic job.
I simply wished to thank you very much yet again. I do not know what I would have undertaken without these thoughts shared by you regarding this subject matter. It was before the terrifying scenario in my position, nevertheless understanding this specialized technique you solved the issue took me to weep with happiness. Now i’m thankful for your support and thus trust you really know what an amazing job you were putting in training the mediocre ones via your webpage. Most probably you haven’t met any of us.
I am just writing to make you understand what a outstanding experience my wife’s girl obtained using your webblog. She noticed so many pieces, which included what it is like to possess an excellent helping spirit to let other people with no trouble learn specific specialized things. You truly surpassed readers’ expected results. Thank you for providing these priceless, trusted, informative as well as fun tips about this topic to Lizeth.
I enjoy you because of all of the effort on this blog. Debby delights in carrying out internet research and it’s easy to see why. A number of us hear all about the compelling form you convey both useful and interesting guidelines by means of the blog and boost contribution from other individuals about this area of interest and my child has been becoming educated a great deal. Enjoy the remaining portion of the new year. You’re carrying out a dazzling job.
My husband and i ended up being absolutely contented Chris could complete his basic research by way of the ideas he came across from your own blog. It’s not at all simplistic just to be giving away guides many people could have been making money from. And we consider we’ve got the blog owner to appreciate because of that. All the explanations you’ve made, the easy blog menu, the friendships you assist to create – it’s all awesome, and it’s assisting our son and our family consider that that concept is awesome, and that’s exceptionally fundamental. Many thanks for all!
My spouse and i got really joyous that Jordan managed to do his reports through your precious recommendations he had through the web pages. It is now and again perplexing to just find yourself handing out secrets and techniques which people may have been selling. So we keep in mind we have got the writer to give thanks to for that. The most important illustrations you have made, the simple web site navigation, the relationships you will help to foster – it’s got many overwhelming, and it’s really leading our son in addition to the family know that the situation is exciting, which is rather mandatory. Thank you for everything!
I happen to be writing to make you understand what a terrific experience our princess went through visiting yuor web blog. She realized such a lot of things, with the inclusion of what it is like to possess an incredible teaching style to make the others without hassle thoroughly grasp various tricky topics. You undoubtedly surpassed visitors’ expected results. Thanks for showing those valuable, trustworthy, revealing not to mention unique tips on your topic to Sandra.
Absence and a friendly neighbor washes away love.
http://bio-catalyst.com/ – flagyl for sale
buy cefixime
[url=http://bio-catalyst.com/]doxycycline online[/url] buy keftab generic
Today, considering the fast life-style that everyone leads, credit cards have a big demand throughout the economy. Persons throughout every area of life are using the credit card and people who aren’t using the credit cards have made up their minds to apply for even one. Thanks for revealing your ideas about credit cards. https://psoriasismedi.com best psoriasis drugs
Hello. Great job. I did not expect this. This is a great story. Thanks! https://hairlossbimedi.com best hair loss with least side effects
I am continuously browsing online for ideas that can benefit me. Thx! https://alzheimermedi.com Alzheimer medication for sale
You got a very great website, Gladiola I observed it through google. https://atherosclerosismed.com buy atherosclerosis drugs
Excellent website. Plenty of helpful info here. I am sending it to several friends ans additionally sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks to your sweat! https://cancermedph.com best breast cancer drugs
Fantastic web site. Lots of useful information here. I’m sending it to a few buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thank you on your effort! https://parkinsonmedi.com parkinson drugs
ektoh 547cw ssg3