This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Master Lock. All opinions are 100% mine.
Do you always worry about keeping your items safe when traveling? Check out these 5 tips for keeping your belongings safe while traveling. #worthprotecting
I've always been the type of person that likes to have my activities be planned and prepared for. As fun as surprises can be, I'm not overly fond of them most of the time. This carries over into most things that I do in life, including travel. We've all heard the horror stories, and maybe even experienced them, of things that can go wrong with traveling. If you haven't been to the area before there are always worries of your flight being delayed or making sure you know where you're going. One of my personal biggest worries is making sure my belongings don't get lost or stolen. I think that worry was instilled at an early age as one of my earliest memories of traveling is losing my beloved Pooh Bear that I took with me everywhere. Today that worry is probably a bit more validated considering all the electronics I like to travel with like my phone, camera, tablet, laptop, etc. So, I wanted to share 5 tips for keeping your belongings safe while traveling.
1. Always be aware of your surroundings. Being aware of your surroundings is important for several reasons. First, sometimes you just get a bad feeling about an area. I always say trust your instincts and if you don't feel comfortable or something feels off, keep going to your next destination. Having an up-to-date map or guide whether physical or digital is also important so you know where important things are like hospitals, your hotel, banks, and embassies are in case you need them. It's also good to know where you have been so that if you do lose something (or just want to go back to revisit something) you know where to look. 
2. Keep your belongings in your own view. Out of sight, out of mind, and easy to snag. We all like to think we'd realize it if someone was trying to steal our wallet or device right out of our pocket. However, these sorts of thieves are often rather skilled and know what to look for and how to execute their plan. That's why I always keep important things like my phone, money, and ID or small important bags in my view and preferably close to my body. I know some people will even put an empty wallet or pre-paid card with no balance in sight in their pockets so it would get swiped first versus the real deal they want to keep safe.
3. Don't keep all your money in the same spot. Money and your ID or passport are probably the last things you want to have stolen or lost when traveling. As such, when traveling I like to store money in a few places and keep different ID's like my passport and driver's license in different places as well. I always keep some extra cash and divide my credit/debit cards between my shoes or bra, in my purse, a safe I keep in my hotel room, and in something like a money belt. 
4. Always handle bags with important items yourself. I try to not be super negative and do really think most people out there are being genuine and honest when they offer to help with bags and luggage. However, there are always the bad apples and scammers out there, too. As such, I always handle bags with important things like my ID's, electronics, and the like just in case. It's amazing just how quickly a person that knows what they are doing and what to look for can swipe something, especially if they're offering to help you with bags in an area you can't see, such as around the corner or above your eye level. 
5. Utilize luggage locks and safes. I'm a firm believer that if someone really wants to steal something, they will no matter what. But, that doesn't mean I have to make it easy for them. That's why I love utilizing Master Lock luggage locks and safes. They may not totally prevent your belongings being stolen, but if someone sees a lock that isn't easy to open, they will likely bypass your items for something easier. Master Lock has been making a variety of locks for years and years and is a brand I remember my own family using while growing up, so you know they have to be trusted and well made while still being affordable. I certainly consider them to be a go-to security resource that's dedicated to providing reliable, easy-to-use safety and security solutions to help us all live a more secure life. A couple of my favorites include the Master Lock 4680DBLK, a TSA-accepted luggage lock that offers on-the-go security. I love that it's also a very easy to use combination lock so you don't have to worry about remembering where you put a key. Plus, it can protect your things both while you're en route or leaving things in your hotel room. 
I also really like the SentrySafe Portable Combination Safe because it can hold so many things like your phone, jewelry, ID, money, keys, and other small important items. Plus, since it's lightweight and easy to carry around, you can use it not only while traveling but also at work, at school, and the gym. It's also water-resistant and it's handy that the cable it comes with can be wrapped around an object or even serve as a carrying handle.
What are some of your tips to travel safe with Master Lock and otherwise? 