How to Stay Safe During Your Orlando Vacation

Orlando is one of the world's top destination spots for tourists. It has the best theme parks, the tropical Florida weather, and hotels galore. Orlando can offer you a great vacation, no matter what your economic standing, and this leads people to the city in droves all year-round. But as with most tourist spots, safety is something you should be thinking about. Tourists are often prime targets for crimes, because when we're on vacation, we like to let our guard down and criminals know that there's a high likelihood we have money on our person at all times. There's no reason to be scared, after all, crime happens everywhere. Even at home. But there is good reason to be vigilant and learn how to keep yourself and your family safe in such a crowded city. This list isn't meant to scare you, honestly. But vacation safety is an issue, and it's one that can help you have an even more relaxing vacation if you're prepared. Actually, being prepared can fight fear. No need to be paranoid when you're prepared.

Stay together. This is a good rule to follow anyway, but assign your family into pairs or groups. Make sure you go to the restroom together, go get things from the car together, and buy things together. Criminals seldom pick pairs or entire families to rob. They're on the lookout for easy targets, which means people who are alone.

Use traveler's checks. There's a reason they're still around. They protect your money.

Remove non-essential cards from your wallet or purse before your trip. There are some cards you just won't need, your social security card, (You shouldn't carry this anyway...) secondary credit cards like cards to retail stores, old or outdated i.d. cards, checks, or any pieces of mail with your bank account or home address on them. If you do bring checks in case of emergency, leave them in the safe in your room.

Don't answer the door to your hotel room if someone knocks and you didn't call them. Don't even answer the door if you did call and you're alone. This is a big trick for criminals in tourist towns is to dress up as someone official in relation to a hotel or a condo. Again, they're not looking for a scene or commotion, so they're not going to try to force entry. Simply refuse them entry, call the front desk, and arrange for a time for whatever you need when you won't be alone.

Know your way around. Getting lost in Orlando can present complications. Remember that scene from National Lampoon's "Vacation" (1983) where they get lost in a bad neighborhood and get themselves into trouble. Well, that same danger lurks in most tourist towns, Orlando included. Why? Because just a few blocks can make a big difference in the type of neighborhood that you're in. There's no reason to panic if you lose your way, but if you know ahead of time which areas to avoid, if you have a good map in the car, or if you've got a directional system like OnStar, you can avoid any potential hazards that may come with ending up in a bad block.

Be aware of yourself. I spent some time in Romania, and learned very carefully how to be aware of people trying to pick my pocket. The same things can happen to you, even in the parks. Don't carry a huge bag, purse or backpack around, the temptation will be too strong to set it down when it feels heavy or when you get hot. This leaves you vulnerable to purse-snatching. Or, you could leave it behind on a ride. Instead, keep things on your person directly. Specifically in a pocket that buttons or zips shut on your shirt or pants. Only carry whatever cash and i.d. you need for that day. For example, when we go to a Disney park, we only carry a small amount of cash, a photo i.d., and our park ticket (Which comes in the form of a card.) We leave the rest behind locked safely in our room at a Disney resort. (Which has added security compared to off-site hotels. There are regular patrols on gold-carts and employees are screened very carefully. Also, the outside public can't just saunter up to a Disney hotel as easily as hey could to one off-site.)

Be extra vigilant in parking lots, even ones at theme parks or your hotel. As you should always do, check under your car and in your back seat. It may seem like a wise move at the beginning of the day to park in an isolated area so you can remember where your car is, but the best idea is to park within the crowds and as close to the entrance as you can. If you feel creeped out at all walking to your car, ask an employee of whichever park you are visiting to escort you out. They'll do it. Sometimes, they'll even call a golf cart to drive you. Don't be ashamed to ask, your safety should always come before your pride.

This one goes without saying, but don't become inebriated. Getting drunk on vacation can be very dangerous, as it makes you not just a target for criminals, but a PRIME one. You'll be far easier to rob or attack if you've had a few. So drink responsibly. And as always, NEVER get behind the wheel if you've been drinking. Sometimes, people do things they wouldn't ordinarily do at home because they are on vacation. But this is unacceptable, whether you're on vacation or not. Just don't do it.