admin, Author at Kangaroos & Kimonos

As someone who has had hundreds of people stay in my home I believe I can answer that question. I think the most important thing is to screen your guests. Almost every exchange/home rental site allows you to screen guests/hosts through references. If you would feel more comfortable invite only people with several stellar references. I can honestly say that I have never had a bad guest. The “worst” things that have happened was someone broke a vase (they replaced it and didn’t know that mine was from Ikea) and someone burnt a hole in an outside chair cushion. Either of those could have happened with my own friends visiting! I have friends with a rental beach house and they have a closet where they lock up their favorite things, you could do the same.

Our home exchange house in Chinchilla, Spain

I really don’t keep a lot of “valuables” – I believe in having more experiences than “stuff” but nonetheless no one has touched my furs or wrecked my house. I believe that most people are going to treat your house with respect. If you would feel safer, go ahead and get a rider on your homeowners – but my insurance company said because they aren’t long term renters, I don’t need a special policy.

Deck of our Malaga Apt

One other thing I don’t see people do is create your own contract. All of these rental and exchange sites allow you to send emails/contact the other party – so make a great contract protecting yourself and your valuables and make them sign it. I am linking you to forms that you can adapt accordingly.

View from AirBnB apt in Play Blanca Panama

View from our AirBnB apt in Play Blanca Panama

So the best ways to protect your home and valuables are: 1) check references 2) check with your homeowners insurance company 3) lock up your valuables and 4) write up a contract. Go Travel now!

Ellie 10 months riding rails through Europe

Ellie Age 4 Flying Spain to Morocco

Having been to 55 countries, some alone, some with family members and some with a small baby – I have developed my own checklist for safe travel. Here are my favorite tips:

1. Always inform family and friends exactly where you are going and staying – I always forward a copy of my flight confirmation and addresses of my stays to one or two family members. When I check into a hotel I’ll often let them know what room I am in as well.

2. Always make copies of your passport, credit cards and ID. I usually carry a copy with me and keep it somewhere separate from the actual items. I also keep a copy with a family member at home.

3. Always register with the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). If you are enrolled they will notify you directly of imminent danger. Also, always check the State Department website for travel warnings and heed them.

STEP

With the best tour guides – our ‘host family’ in Stuttgart

4. Find out from a local where NOT to go and listen. This is one of the best things I like about staying with locals.

5. I prefer to travel with a cell phone that operates locally. You can get a local SIM card or you can have an international carrier as I do (AT&T) and change to an international plan. A cell phone is a perfect way for State Department to contact you immediately in an emergency. If you have a problem with a cancelled flight you can just call airline directly instead of waiting in long lines.

6. Don’t take your flashy jewelry, really expensive handbags – leave them at home. It’s just an excuse for a thief to target you. Carry a really safe cross body bag with with reinforced straps that can’t be cut. MEN – never put wallet in pants back pocket. Also, always keep small bills on hand.

7. Always use the safe in a hotel. When you are carrying money on your person, breaak it up – put some in your sock, some in a money belt, etc.

8. Facebook has a Safety Feature where you can notify family and friends in the event of a natural disaster. Hopefully you will never need it but with horrific natural disasters happening regularly, it’s a a nice thing to have.

9. I have never lost a suitcase (cross my fingers) but just in case I always take photos of all my bags so when I file a claim I have a photo to show them exactly what is missing.

Ellie and I at the Bucharest train station

10. Last but not LEAST, pay attention to your surroundings! This is so important! I had a male friend say a group was approaching them and one guy asked for time (it was a distraction to pick pockets). He realized right away and his friend starting yelling and making a scene. The group dispersed but it was a close call.

Travel safely and travel smartly.

🌎 Travel FREE like ME!

Home & Hospitality Exchange and Rentals 101 – Who Will Protect my Stuff?

10 Tips for Safe & Secure Travel