One of the signs that summer is fast approaching has to be the sight of the white caravan being towed through our national road network. As the weather heats up, many caravan owners can be seen heading off for their traditional weekend breaks or even longer holidays, as this can often work out cheaper in comparison to paying for hotels and flights especially due to the credit crunch. Motorways, by-passes and then country roads often see convoys of these mobile ‘home from homes’ being towed. These slow moving vehicles are often blamed for traffic build up on our roads and are, therefore, often the target for road-rage.

These last few years has seen a dramatic increase in the amount of people ditching the need for a passport and instead holidaying at home, and treating the family to a caravanning holiday on the British coastline. However, as the number of caravans increase, so does the amount of caravan theft. One of the last things anyone wants is for something to be stolen from their caravan, or even worse, returning after a day out to find that their caravan has simply disappeared.

When it comes to protecting your caravan there are several tips that can be done:

• Use sites that are recommended by Camping and Caravanning clubs.
• Never leave your doors unlocked, even if you’re just going to fill up the water butt. Opportunistic thieves only need seconds to walk away with your possessions.
• Never leave valuables lying around in open view.
• Have some kind of hitch lock that will prevent someone from simply driving off with your caravan.

At Crime Prevention Products we stock Trailer and Caravan Hitch Locks and even fire safety equipment which will ensure that if anything should get out of hand whilst cooking you’ll at least be prepared.

In today’s uncertain economical climate and job insecurity, many households across Britain may be persuaded to ditch their annual foreign holiday and instead look to explore the delights of their own countryside. There are two ways of doing this, one is by camping where people simply pack up the car with the necessary equipment and head out to explore the ‘untamed wild’, the other is by caravan which is more sophisticated and a lot more comfier, in-fact caravanning holidays in Britain have seen a steady rise over the past couple of years as more and more people try this popular type of getaway. (source 1)

However, caravanning and camping are by no means new types of holiday in this country. The National Caravan Council stated in 2002 -2003 that there were almost 500,000 caravans in Britain and that almost £2billion was spent by people taking caravan and camping holidays making it one of the most popular holidays for British people (source 2). In today’s uncertain climate this figure is sure to increase due to the number of people that will be spending their annual holidays in this county instead of foreign shores.

Whether you’re heading out with your tent or hitching up your caravan there are several personal security precautions that have to be followed. Like all holidays there is always the criminal element that will see you as easy prey and try to walk off with your personal belongings. Here at Crime Prevention Products we have a security section that is dedicated to travel and backpacking safety as well as caravan and car security.

Round about this time of year people may be busy thinking about their annual getaway. The thought of heading off for a week or two to some sunny shore or Backpacking through some foreign countryside is enough to get everyone excited. Hours will be spent planning, discussing and booking the holiday, either online or through the local travel agents, making sure that everything is just right.

When it comes to your annual holiday, no one expects things to go wrong. However, as we all know sometimes nothing ever goes to plan. Holiday firms going into administration, hotels being closed down and freak weather patterns can turn your fortnight break in to a holiday from hell. In most cases, people will have holiday insurance which will cover them for most of the inconvenience, after all, that’s why we purchase it in the first place.

A few things to consider when it comes to Backpacking, Horse Riding or even Skiing holidays, either in your own country or heading further afield… People have to be more aware of the dangers of something going wrong. Although specialist holiday insurance is a must, there are also other precautions that are advisable to help protect yourself as well as your possessions.

Crime Prevention Products have a range of Travel and Backpacking security products which will alert attention, help protect and hide some of your most valuable possessions. Door guards and alarmed door wedges for hostels, hiding places for your passports and money and even emergency lighting are all products that should be thought about before heading off on your backpacking adventure.

Here at Crime Prevention Products we believe that everyone has the right to have a safe and enjoyable holiday.

In just a few short months we’ll see a massive change in the weather in this little island of ours. Long gone the warm evenings to be replaced with dark nights, rain (cold rain at that), wind and even sudden snow falls. Still every year people in Britain are caught out by sudden changes in the weather.

As the rain or snow starts to fall, people still decide to take unnecessary journeys in their cars. In-fact, just last year thousands of people were trapped in their cars, vans and lorries as the snow began to fall with devastating consequences, many of these people were totally unprepared to be trapped in their vehicles.
(more…)

After a very long and much anticipated wait, the Fifa world cup has eventually kicked off, 32 countries trying their best to become the number one footballing team in the world. What makes this football competition so special is that it is being held for the first time in the country of South Africa. In recent years this African country has come under severe criticism from the rest of the world due to it’s political views.

Much of this country is still struggling to come to terms with the amount of money that has been spent on building new football stadiums, hotels and training complexes. Many normal everyday Africans have been wondering if the money would have been better spent on upgrading basic amenities and infrastructure. This can all lead to tension rising between the local people, supporters and authorities.

In a poll carried out recently by More Than Insurance, 1000 England supporters travelling to world cup were interviewed and only 6% thought that they would be safe when they were in South Africa. This can be put down largely to the amount of bad press that national newspapers have been reporting like the front page spread in the Daily Star warning that “England supporters may get caught up in a machete race war” in a “crime ravaged” country.
(more…)

After working all year, a large section of the UK’s population will be thinking about packing their bags and heading off on their annual holidays. Getting ready for your holidays is always an exciting time, sure we deliberate and argue about what clothes are going to fit into our cases, swim shorts or “speedos” for the more adventurous amongst us. These are the small things that contribute to the excitement in the run-up to your holiday. However, this year when your packing your suncreams, antiseptic sprays and plasters give a serious thought to some Carbon Monoxide Detector Patches.

In recent years a number of holiday makers have fallen victim to this silent killer. No matter where your resting your head once you reach your destination, be it in a hotel room, holiday home or caravan be aware that “levels of carbon monoxide produced by faulty, poorly maintained or poorly ventilated fossil fuel appliances can build up very quickly to levels that can kill.” That statement was from Professor Qutub Syed who is from the Health Protection Agency.

Carbon Monoxide poisoning can produce symptoms similar to flu or food poisoning, including headaches and tiredness. So, for a few pounds protect you family and make room in that suitcase of yours for this life saving travel aid.

It’s happened again, the ash cloud which spewed out of the volcano in Iceland at the beginning of May is now hovering above British and European airspace once again. As the ‘cancelled’ and ‘delayed’ signs were illuminated in most of the airports, holidaymakers were left wondering when or if they will be taking to the air. With the experts predicting that the ash cloud will be around for months to come are we in for a Summer of delays and discontent?
(more…)

During the Summer months some families may find themselves escaping the rat-race (well, for a couple of days) and pack up their belongings and head off into the country in their cars. Armed with tent, sleeping bags and camping stove, most families will endeavour to find a nice secluded part of the countryside to teach their children all about Mother Nature.

This can be a great time for all involved, father and son gathering wood for the campfire, mother and daughter looking at all the different plants and animals that can be found in the British countryside.

These memorable times can last with your kids for years and years. However, there is a serious side to outdoor camping and backpacking safety. There are many dangers to be found while your are off the beaten track and not just from the wildlife.
(more…)

When we book our annual holidays we automatically take a ‘back seat’ when it comes to personal protection & security and tend to let the hotels own internal security take over. Tourists all over the world seem to take the “it will never happen to me” attitude when on foreign shores. Just because you are on holiday or on a business trip doesn’t mean you have to let your guard down.
(more…)