There are a variety of ways you can do this, and many of them will take little to no time.

• Don’t leave anything terribly valuable in your car, or at least in visible areas. Leaving laptop computers, iPods, or any other electronics devices sends nothing but welcome messages to thieves.
• If you do have to leave highly valuable items in the car, consider purchasing a vehicle safe—this will ensure that your possessions leave with no one. They are also large enough to fit a handgun, which will keep your family and love ones safe from potential accidents.
• Having an effective (and properly working) alarm system on your car is another great way to deter criminals from getting too close. It will draw enough attention to scare them off prior to entrance.
• Using a tire claw or a steering wheel club is a great security measure for a couple of reasons—for one, it is a visual signal that tells a potential thief that your car is protected and secured. This reduces the likeliness of an attempt.
• These locks and clubs also prevent the unauthorized use of your car. If you don’t have a key, the car isn’t going anywhere. You can sleep safe knowing that your car will stay put.
• Don’t park your car in locations shielded from public view by obstructions or darkness. The lack of visibility will cue thieves that they will better get away with theft.
• Though it may seem like common knowledge, get into the habit of checking that your doors are locked! It is obviously no difficulty for a thief to break into a car that is not secured at all. Simple mistakes could reap huge consequences.

No matter what, the safety and security of you and your loved ones is of the greatest importance—so be sure to stay aware of your surroundings when moving from and to your vehicle, especially after dark. Always keep your cell phone on hand and ready to call emergency services if you feel threatened or see a suspicious character lurking around your vehicle. Being safe will always be better than being sorry.

It’s one thing to be paranoid, it’s another to be smart. I will, however, say that some amount of paranoia is preferable to reckless travelling—and being safe will always be better than sorry. That being said, here are some tips for different stops on your journey to a relaxing vacation, and what you can do to protect yourself and your belongings.

At the airport:

• Whether you are departing or arriving, always be aware of your surroundings and where your things are located. Keep all bags close by and secure all carry-ons with luggage locks.
• Keep identifying information and important documents such as your driver’s license or passport on your person and safely hidden away. Don’t have them sticking out of a purse or bag—to avoid theft or from accidentally falling out of your bag.
• Be aware of suspicious persons in the airport, or outside of the airport—especially if travelling to foreign countries. Don’t ever assume that tragedies such as kidnappings only happen to others. They can happen to you as well. Never give information about where you are staying to strangers.

At the hotel:

• Just because there is a lock on the door doesn’t mean that others won’t make their way into the room. Whereas we would like to put trust in others to do the right thing, it is important to keep your valuables safe. Purchase a personal safe that you can keep hidden and attached to a piece of furniture for your valuable jewelry, and travelling documents (such as your passport).
• Be sure not to give any strangers information concerning your whereabouts in the hotel, or at which hotel you will be staying.

While you’re out:

• When you’re out by the pool (or out sightseeing) it is important to keep your bag safe from others, especially if you are travelling by public transportation. There are thieves out there that prey specifically on tourists, so be sure to use backpack locks or luggage locks on your backpacks, camera bags, or others.
• Avoid travelling alone, and always bring along someone that can find help if you run into an emergency situation.
• Be sure that you know which local authorities to contact, and how you would get a hold of them in case of an emergency. If you are travelling in a foreign country, make sure you know the basic phrases for finding help, and communicating where you need to go.

Being safe doesn’t have to be time consuming, and certainly doesn’t have to put a damper on your fun. Keeping these tips in mind will help keep you, your loved ones, and your belongings secure and free to enjoy your time off.

The case may be, perhaps, that your life is not so intertwined in your computer. But odds are if you answered “no” to the question above, your laptop is a valuable piece of your life—and therefore needs to be protected. The wonderful thing about having a laptop computer is that it can be carried anywhere. The downside to this, however, is that it is easily stolen. This is why laptop security is so very important.

Here are some tips to keeping your laptop safe, so that you can be sure that your files, programs, and computer itself will stay safely within your hands—and what you can do if your laptop has been stolen.

Keep an eye on it. I know you’re probably calling me “Captain Obvious” right now, but the fact is that many people walk away from their laptop computers—for whatever reason—and they get taken. If you’re going to run to the bathroom, or have to leave your computer for some other reason, ask someone to keep an eye on it. If you have your laptop in a backpack or briefcase, think about purchasing backpack locks or luggage locks for added security against theft.

Be prepared. Even though I like to believe that most people are inherently good, and would never stoop to doing such a thing as stealing from another, the fact remains that there are thieves out there. Even if you do everything in your power to keep an eye on your belongings, it could still get taken. Understanding this, you should be prepared. Having proper laptop security is absolutely essential. Software such as the Laptop Cop will help you to locate your laptop in the event it is stolen using GPS technology. Software such as this will also allow you to delete or retrieve files from the copter remotely, and monitor what the thief does on your computer.

Prevent identity theft. We hear about it everywhere, and for good reason. Identity theft can be incredibly easy if someone has access to your personal files—unless you take measures to prevent this. Do not save files with your bank account numbers and passwords, or if you do name them differently and have them password locked. Having your computer password locked to begin with is a good idea also. Any lists of accounts and passwords should be hidden, or not kept on the laptop at all. You don’t want to give a thief access to all of your essential accounts.

As you can see, there are measures you can take to protect yourself. Always be conscious of your surroundings in any given area, and don’t leave your laptop unattended. Don’t give potential thieves the opportunity to infiltrate even further into your life by keeping valuable information unavailable. Finally, take a look at the Laptop Cop to make sure a bad situation doesn’t get much, much worse. Remember to always be safe, be prepared, and be secure!

Here are some tips for staying safe while you practice green living:

Public Transportation

• Don’t be trusting of anyone on the bus that offers to walk you home from the stop. It’s alright to be friendly, but not to put yourself in danger.
• Always carry your cell phone with you in case of emergency.
• Be particularly wary when travelling after dark. Be aware of your surroundings at all times, and be prepared to call the authorities if you feel threatened. Keep distance from anyone out walking.
• While riding the bus or train, theft can be easy (considering close quarters). To prevent anyone getting into your bags, consider securing them with backpack locks or luggage locks.
• Always dress for the weather to avoid getting ill. Dress in layers to be on the safe side.

Riding your Bicycle

• Again, it is important to be aware of your surroundings at all times—not just for other people that could potentially harm you, but traffic as well.
• Be sure to wear proper protective equipment—such as a helmet or reflective materials, especially if you’ll be riding after dark.
• Always carry your cell phone with you in case of emergency. However, DO NOT talk on you cell phone while riding your bike. It will distract you from traffic and cause you to be less coordinated.
• Along with your cell phone, it is important to be prepared in terms of your health. Especially if you are a beginning rider, carry a bottle of water and a small snack (like a granola bar) until you understand your limitations, and how much riding you can handle.
• While riding, it is easy for a backpack to unzip and your things to fall out. If you’re struggling to fix this while you’re riding it could be incredibly hazardous. To prevent this from happening, consider using backpack locks or luggage locks to secure your bag.
• Again, dress for the weather and consider wearing layers. A cool day can easily become hot, and vice-versa. It is also a good idea to bring a poncho in case of rain, this way you and your belongings will not end up soaked or damaged.
• Be sure to buy a sturdy bike lock to ensure that you’re not caught stranded without transportation. Never leave the combination as the generic one it came with, thieves will try these first. Think of something original, and make sure to change the number drastically before leaving your bike unattended.
• Always abide by proper traffic laws and be aware traffic. Never wear headphones while riding, as it will prevent you from hearing traffic and is incredibly dangerous.

As you can see, steps to ensure security are not difficult, but they are absolutely essential to keep you safe. We would like to thank you for choosing to be so pro-active in your green living, and hope you take this advice to ensure your safety.