I was looking back over my old "Vegas safety tips" posts and found that I neglected to mention a few of the most important ones in my book:
Write your room number or floor number on your room key. These days, the convenience of magnetized key cards for hotel rooms comes with a price: there are no room numbers on the cards because they are reusable and/or disposable. To make sure you don't forget your room number - or, if you're like a few people I know (and I'm included in this bunch) and have double-booked yourself into more than one hotel room per night to take advantage of comps at different properties - use a permanent marker to put your room number OR the floor number directly onto the card. That way, every time you pull it out of your purse, wallet, or pocket, your room number/floor number is conveniently displayed for you and will help to jog your memory lest you forget where you should be headed. If you received a key holder or folder from check in, just keep one of your keys in the folder and both items securely with you.
An additional safety note regarding the room keys: I would suggest either putting just the floor number on your key OR the last two or three digits of the room number instead of the whole number, just in case you DO lose the key and someone else picks it up. Putting just enough information on the key to help you remember your room number or floor number is what you want to do in order to stay safe.
Don't admit you're all alone when traveling solo (or even if you're just spending the day alone). Whether you're a regular solo traveler, it's your very first solo trip, or if your spouse/significant other is not in the same hotel/casino with you at the moment, it's more than okay to lie to strangers. Tell anyone who asks that your spouse just went to the bathroom or to get your coat or to pick up tickets for a show. There's no need to let anyone know that you're alone, except for the check in agent at the hotel if you've booked a hotel room by yourself. It's no one else's business, and it's safer to let people think that there's someone waiting for you right over there.
Please don't try to help the cocktail waitress do her job! The balancing act she maintains with her tray is an art form - do NOT upset that balance by trying to grab your drink from her tray unless she specifically asks you to! Why? Because you'll literally upset the balance of the rest of the drinks on her tray, and someone - maybe you, maybe someone else - will end up with drinks on their head or in their lap. She will get your drink to you, and she'll get everyone else's drinks to them as quickly as possible. So don't rush it.
That's all for now. If I think of anything else, I'll be sure to pass it on.
Showing posts with label Vegas safety tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vegas safety tips. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Keeping your valuables and information safe
It doesn't matter what sort of traveling you're doing: keeping your personal information and valuables safe and secure should be your number one priority.
Not only is this is a very important goal on any trip you might be planning, but it's important to remember even when you're just running errands around town. It should not be looked upon as a scary prospect that is best approached in an armored car with numerous guards and guns, though. Common sense and practical solutions are the best weapons in defending your personal property and keeping your items out of a stranger's hands.
Here are some easy to follow ideas for keeping your information safe:
E-mail travel and hotel confirmation information to yourself. Before you leave, e-mail all of your confirmation details to yourself so that you can easily retrieve the information from your destination if you lose your paper copies (or if you forget to print them and find that you need them in order to check in). But be sure to display the information as an attachment if personal details are included instead of including those details in the main body of the e-mail. Go a step further and add password protection to the e-mail so that sensitive information will not be readily available to anyone.
Re-title e-mails that contain sensitive information. Especially when e-mails contain details about your credit card, trip itinerary, etc., use an alternate subject/title as a decoy or distraction (i.e., instead of using "Paris Hotel Confirmation", use something like "Ray's Vacation Photos"). As long as you remember what you're looking for when you need it!
Make copies of all your important personal documents and keep them separate from the originals. This goes for your driver's license, passport, Social Security card, and whatever other document you have that confirms your identity. Keeping copies of the originals in a separate location is the smart thing to do whether you're traveling or not. A missing driver's license or passport could keep you from going home at the end of a trip, so why take a chance? Having a copy of the original allows for verification to be made and ultimately allows your travel to be completed.
Don't use "Mom", "Dad", "Work", or "Home" on your cell phone. Use their first names or some other identifying information. Why? A thief stealing your cell phone can text your family or friends and ask them to send money to "X" address because "YOU" are in trouble. The money could be received by the thief before you even know your phone is missing.
Use room safes when available. Most hotel rooms in Vegas have room safes in some form, whether they be in the wall, in a drawer, or in the floor. Instead of taking all of your money with you when you go out, take only what you need for the time being and leave the rest of it behind (along with your non-essential travel documents). Keep your passport in there, too, unless it's your only form of ID; otherwise, your driver's license or state ID card will be enough to keep you properly identified by those who need to know who you are.
Use the safe deposit boxes at the Cashier's Cage if room safes are not available. Even more readily available than room safes in Vegas, safe deposit boxes are available for rent and should be used if you're carrying a large amount of cash or other valuables. Peace of mind is better than worrying about what you left behind in your hotel room during your entire trip.
Put valuables in your suitcase - and lock it - while storing it in your room. Let's face it; maids don't generally want to risk losing their job over your stuff, even if you think they do. While I've heard a few tales of people having items "ripped off" from their hotel rooms in Vegas, I find it hard to blame anyone but themselves for the "thefts". Why? Because if you don't have/don't use the safe, you still have your suitcase as an option, and you probably have a lock for it. Put your (not so) valuables in it and lock it when you leave the room. Accidentally leaving a watch or a ring on the nightstand or bathroom counter happens to the best of us when we're getting dressed/undressed, and it's usually OUR fault when they go missing, not the maid's. I say that because, when in Vegas, we generally "forget" where we put something (whether we were drinking or not), or we accidentally knock it off or misplace it when we're rushing around doing something else. It's easier to point the finger at someone else in these situations, but we should all remember that when we're pointing at someone, there's only one finger pointing at them and four pointing back at us. Just sayin'. As a general rule, whatever I don't put in the safe or take with me (money and good jewelry), I put in the suitcase and attach the lock (fake jewels and confirmation info included).
Pack important items in your carry on instead of your checked luggage. This goes for important documents, expensive jewelry, money, cameras or video equipment you don't want damaged, and your medicines most importantly of all. Not only are you trying to keep everyone at the airport honest, but you're trying to keep your items from getting broken or misplaced by anyone but yourself. Also, keeping your medications with you is especially important if you and your luggage are inconveniently (and maybe inexplicably) separated from one another. Even the airlines aren't perfect, and lost or damaged luggage happens from time to time. Delays and cancellations happen, too. Keep your stuff as safe as possible and keep yourself as healthy as possible, too.
Keep your money out of sight when you're walking around. Whether you're buying dinner for friends or walking the Strip, don't flash the cash. Keep your stash of money out of sight and out of a potential thief's mind...and hands.
Ladies, consider a purse for security rather than beauty. We know there are all kinds of sparkly purses out there that would be great for Vegas, but carrying a purse that you can A) hold close to your body, and/or B) secure across your body with a strap are the best sorts of purses you can carry. Something you have to set down on a chair or the floor is just begging to be stolen. Carrying that cute little clutch is great if you're headed to a show, but taking it back to your hotel room in exchange for a more secure or sensible version is advisable. Don't despair, though; there are plenty of cute and adorable purses out there that will fit your needs nicely, so just look around until you find something that suits your tastes.
Those are some very basic ideas, but they make a lot of sense if you think about the common sense of them all. You're putting the responsibility on yourself to make sure your stuff is safe, but you're also reducing the temptation factor.
Before you leave on your next trip, just remember this little bit of additional information: Items left in a hotel room are not always returned to their owners. So, if you really want to make sure that your favorite hoodie gets back home with you, or that blanket you take everywhere gets back to your linen closet at home, double-check your room before you complete your checkout. Maids pile everything on a cart and take it away if it's not part of the hotel room setup. Maybe some items get kept by the maids (if they need that small coffee maker you brought along for your trip), but a lot of items are donated to homeless shelters and battered women's shelters. They won't go to waste or be thrown out, but the hotels don't always sort and retain the items in the hopes that you'll suddenly remember what you'd previously forgot.
Just remember to be safe and have FUN!
Not only is this is a very important goal on any trip you might be planning, but it's important to remember even when you're just running errands around town. It should not be looked upon as a scary prospect that is best approached in an armored car with numerous guards and guns, though. Common sense and practical solutions are the best weapons in defending your personal property and keeping your items out of a stranger's hands.
Here are some easy to follow ideas for keeping your information safe:
E-mail travel and hotel confirmation information to yourself. Before you leave, e-mail all of your confirmation details to yourself so that you can easily retrieve the information from your destination if you lose your paper copies (or if you forget to print them and find that you need them in order to check in). But be sure to display the information as an attachment if personal details are included instead of including those details in the main body of the e-mail. Go a step further and add password protection to the e-mail so that sensitive information will not be readily available to anyone.
Re-title e-mails that contain sensitive information. Especially when e-mails contain details about your credit card, trip itinerary, etc., use an alternate subject/title as a decoy or distraction (i.e., instead of using "Paris Hotel Confirmation", use something like "Ray's Vacation Photos"). As long as you remember what you're looking for when you need it!
Make copies of all your important personal documents and keep them separate from the originals. This goes for your driver's license, passport, Social Security card, and whatever other document you have that confirms your identity. Keeping copies of the originals in a separate location is the smart thing to do whether you're traveling or not. A missing driver's license or passport could keep you from going home at the end of a trip, so why take a chance? Having a copy of the original allows for verification to be made and ultimately allows your travel to be completed.
Don't use "Mom", "Dad", "Work", or "Home" on your cell phone. Use their first names or some other identifying information. Why? A thief stealing your cell phone can text your family or friends and ask them to send money to "X" address because "YOU" are in trouble. The money could be received by the thief before you even know your phone is missing.
Use room safes when available. Most hotel rooms in Vegas have room safes in some form, whether they be in the wall, in a drawer, or in the floor. Instead of taking all of your money with you when you go out, take only what you need for the time being and leave the rest of it behind (along with your non-essential travel documents). Keep your passport in there, too, unless it's your only form of ID; otherwise, your driver's license or state ID card will be enough to keep you properly identified by those who need to know who you are.
Use the safe deposit boxes at the Cashier's Cage if room safes are not available. Even more readily available than room safes in Vegas, safe deposit boxes are available for rent and should be used if you're carrying a large amount of cash or other valuables. Peace of mind is better than worrying about what you left behind in your hotel room during your entire trip.
Put valuables in your suitcase - and lock it - while storing it in your room. Let's face it; maids don't generally want to risk losing their job over your stuff, even if you think they do. While I've heard a few tales of people having items "ripped off" from their hotel rooms in Vegas, I find it hard to blame anyone but themselves for the "thefts". Why? Because if you don't have/don't use the safe, you still have your suitcase as an option, and you probably have a lock for it. Put your (not so) valuables in it and lock it when you leave the room. Accidentally leaving a watch or a ring on the nightstand or bathroom counter happens to the best of us when we're getting dressed/undressed, and it's usually OUR fault when they go missing, not the maid's. I say that because, when in Vegas, we generally "forget" where we put something (whether we were drinking or not), or we accidentally knock it off or misplace it when we're rushing around doing something else. It's easier to point the finger at someone else in these situations, but we should all remember that when we're pointing at someone, there's only one finger pointing at them and four pointing back at us. Just sayin'. As a general rule, whatever I don't put in the safe or take with me (money and good jewelry), I put in the suitcase and attach the lock (fake jewels and confirmation info included).
Pack important items in your carry on instead of your checked luggage. This goes for important documents, expensive jewelry, money, cameras or video equipment you don't want damaged, and your medicines most importantly of all. Not only are you trying to keep everyone at the airport honest, but you're trying to keep your items from getting broken or misplaced by anyone but yourself. Also, keeping your medications with you is especially important if you and your luggage are inconveniently (and maybe inexplicably) separated from one another. Even the airlines aren't perfect, and lost or damaged luggage happens from time to time. Delays and cancellations happen, too. Keep your stuff as safe as possible and keep yourself as healthy as possible, too.
Keep your money out of sight when you're walking around. Whether you're buying dinner for friends or walking the Strip, don't flash the cash. Keep your stash of money out of sight and out of a potential thief's mind...and hands.
Ladies, consider a purse for security rather than beauty. We know there are all kinds of sparkly purses out there that would be great for Vegas, but carrying a purse that you can A) hold close to your body, and/or B) secure across your body with a strap are the best sorts of purses you can carry. Something you have to set down on a chair or the floor is just begging to be stolen. Carrying that cute little clutch is great if you're headed to a show, but taking it back to your hotel room in exchange for a more secure or sensible version is advisable. Don't despair, though; there are plenty of cute and adorable purses out there that will fit your needs nicely, so just look around until you find something that suits your tastes.
Those are some very basic ideas, but they make a lot of sense if you think about the common sense of them all. You're putting the responsibility on yourself to make sure your stuff is safe, but you're also reducing the temptation factor.
Before you leave on your next trip, just remember this little bit of additional information: Items left in a hotel room are not always returned to their owners. So, if you really want to make sure that your favorite hoodie gets back home with you, or that blanket you take everywhere gets back to your linen closet at home, double-check your room before you complete your checkout. Maids pile everything on a cart and take it away if it's not part of the hotel room setup. Maybe some items get kept by the maids (if they need that small coffee maker you brought along for your trip), but a lot of items are donated to homeless shelters and battered women's shelters. They won't go to waste or be thrown out, but the hotels don't always sort and retain the items in the hopes that you'll suddenly remember what you'd previously forgot.
Just remember to be safe and have FUN!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Safety on the Strip - be careful!
I'm still working on organizing my thoughts for some of my reviews from my trip, but I wanted to bring up a couple of safety tips that I felt I should mention because they are very important.
Don't jaywalk across the Strip - or anywhere else! I previously mentioned the fact that jaywalking is very dangerous in Las Vegas - it's dangerous anywhere, obviously - but apparently people feel the need to cross the streets as soon as possible and risk life and limb by doing this. If you see other people already in the crosswalk and the signal is saying not to walk, don't do it! In a city filled with so many tourists from around the world, the chances of you getting hit by a car, a bus, or a taxi is very high. Just wait a couple of minutes until the light is in your favor, because there's nothing worth getting killed for in Vegas.
Don't try to hail a cab on the Strip. This is not New York City, or any other big city that allows cab pickups on every street. Cabs can be hailed at every casino, bar, restaurant, residence or hotel all over the city, but it is illegal for cabbies to stop and pick up passengers on the Strip. They're not ignoring you, they're obeying the law. Go to a safe place to hail a cab, and don't be mad when they don't stop for you.
Please don't make yourself a moving target!
Don't jaywalk across the Strip - or anywhere else! I previously mentioned the fact that jaywalking is very dangerous in Las Vegas - it's dangerous anywhere, obviously - but apparently people feel the need to cross the streets as soon as possible and risk life and limb by doing this. If you see other people already in the crosswalk and the signal is saying not to walk, don't do it! In a city filled with so many tourists from around the world, the chances of you getting hit by a car, a bus, or a taxi is very high. Just wait a couple of minutes until the light is in your favor, because there's nothing worth getting killed for in Vegas.
Don't try to hail a cab on the Strip. This is not New York City, or any other big city that allows cab pickups on every street. Cabs can be hailed at every casino, bar, restaurant, residence or hotel all over the city, but it is illegal for cabbies to stop and pick up passengers on the Strip. They're not ignoring you, they're obeying the law. Go to a safe place to hail a cab, and don't be mad when they don't stop for you.
Please don't make yourself a moving target!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Tips for surviving Las Vegas weather year-round
Some people think that, just because Las Vegas is in the middle of the desert, there's no weather there...other than HOT.
Temperatures from late June and into mid-September could very well top 100 degrees on an almost daily basis, so don't forget to keep yourself hydrated, wear plenty of sunscreen (this applies to year-round visits), and use lip balm and moisturizer regularly if you're not used to the arid climate. Also, be sure to take along a nasal spray if you're prone to nosebleeds, because the dry air will affect you after only a little while. While temperatures in the 100's are not uncommon during the peak summer months of July and August, those months can also have daily temperatures that range into the mid to upper 110's, with nightly cooling only into the 90's, so be sure to dress appropriately. Limiting your sun exposure between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. is also a good idea if you're not used to extreme heat.
While it's certainly hot a lot of the time, Spring and Fall can be very pleasant times to visit. Temperatures can range anywhere from the 50's and 60's to the 80's and 90's during the daylight hours. Just be aware that a lack of daytime heating can cause those temperatures to quickly fall off into the 30's and 40's at night, so be sure to have a sweater or jacket for the evening hours if you plan to be outside. Also, if a cold front comes through the area, a matter of minutes could have you wishing you had a jacket - or a coat. My husband learned that lesson the hard way on a trip in late May one year when the temperatures went from low 90's to mid 60's in less than 30 minutes. Checking the weather forecast before you head out for the day is advisable; checking the forecast before you pack for your trip is even better still.
Also be aware that, no matter what month it is, the desert landscape is a very flat place, and flash flooding is quite a possibility with as little as 1/2 an inch of rain. Such was the case on my trip in August of 2007. I went to bed on a particularly warm night (I think the temperature topped out at about 112 that day), and I heard quite a bit of thunder in the wee hours of the morning. Being a South Texas girl, I paid no attention; thunderstorms are quite common in Texas, and we don't usually think anything of them unless it rains quite a bit in a short amount of time.
Heading for breakfast the next morning, I heard quite a few people talking excitedly about the flooding all over the city. Yes, it had rained during the night - that 1/2 inch that I spoke of before - and because of all the flat land and built up areas pushing the water into the alleys and side streets, the Imperial Palace parking garage, Koval Road behind it, and many other streets and roads around Las Vegas were closed due to flooding. Being the curious person that I am, I headed out the back door toward the monorail station between IP and Harrah's to have a look, and I snapped a few photos like this:
Flooding like that would've taken at least 7 or 8 inches of rain in Texas over a couple of hours, so I was a little surprised. But I reminded myself that Las Vegas IS in the middle of the desert and there is nowhere for the water to go. Keep that fact in mind when you're out and about and a storm pops up - hotel lobbies have been known to flood, and you should never try to go through any floodwaters for your own safety. Also be aware that a hotel/casino may temporarily close their exits to the Strip or the parking garage/valet parking because of high water, but the water usually recedes pretty quickly and everything will be back to normal as soon as possible.
Traveling to Vegas in the winter months can also be a great treat if you're used to living in more frigid northern climates, or if you don't really experience any cold because you live someplace really warm, like Southern Florida or South Texas. Temperatures during November and December are usually quite pleasant; I've been visiting when the daytime temperatures have been in the 40's and 50's, and it's quite comfortable for me in a light jacket or sweater. Of course, the nighttime temperatures can dip into the 20's and 30's easily, so be sure to bring plenty of clothing on if you're not used to those lows.
Something else you shouldn't be surprised to see in Vegas during the winter months: snow. Yes, it's snowed on the Las Vegas Strip quite a few times in the past couple of years, and it makes for a very pretty picture, indeed. I've never been lucky enough to be in Vegas during a snowfall, but it's something I'd love to experience in person.
This photo was taken from a hotel room window by one of my LV4E friends known as "skybank" - and what a peaceful view it is:
Temperatures from late June and into mid-September could very well top 100 degrees on an almost daily basis, so don't forget to keep yourself hydrated, wear plenty of sunscreen (this applies to year-round visits), and use lip balm and moisturizer regularly if you're not used to the arid climate. Also, be sure to take along a nasal spray if you're prone to nosebleeds, because the dry air will affect you after only a little while. While temperatures in the 100's are not uncommon during the peak summer months of July and August, those months can also have daily temperatures that range into the mid to upper 110's, with nightly cooling only into the 90's, so be sure to dress appropriately. Limiting your sun exposure between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. is also a good idea if you're not used to extreme heat.
While it's certainly hot a lot of the time, Spring and Fall can be very pleasant times to visit. Temperatures can range anywhere from the 50's and 60's to the 80's and 90's during the daylight hours. Just be aware that a lack of daytime heating can cause those temperatures to quickly fall off into the 30's and 40's at night, so be sure to have a sweater or jacket for the evening hours if you plan to be outside. Also, if a cold front comes through the area, a matter of minutes could have you wishing you had a jacket - or a coat. My husband learned that lesson the hard way on a trip in late May one year when the temperatures went from low 90's to mid 60's in less than 30 minutes. Checking the weather forecast before you head out for the day is advisable; checking the forecast before you pack for your trip is even better still.
Also be aware that, no matter what month it is, the desert landscape is a very flat place, and flash flooding is quite a possibility with as little as 1/2 an inch of rain. Such was the case on my trip in August of 2007. I went to bed on a particularly warm night (I think the temperature topped out at about 112 that day), and I heard quite a bit of thunder in the wee hours of the morning. Being a South Texas girl, I paid no attention; thunderstorms are quite common in Texas, and we don't usually think anything of them unless it rains quite a bit in a short amount of time.
Heading for breakfast the next morning, I heard quite a few people talking excitedly about the flooding all over the city. Yes, it had rained during the night - that 1/2 inch that I spoke of before - and because of all the flat land and built up areas pushing the water into the alleys and side streets, the Imperial Palace parking garage, Koval Road behind it, and many other streets and roads around Las Vegas were closed due to flooding. Being the curious person that I am, I headed out the back door toward the monorail station between IP and Harrah's to have a look, and I snapped a few photos like this:
Flooding like that would've taken at least 7 or 8 inches of rain in Texas over a couple of hours, so I was a little surprised. But I reminded myself that Las Vegas IS in the middle of the desert and there is nowhere for the water to go. Keep that fact in mind when you're out and about and a storm pops up - hotel lobbies have been known to flood, and you should never try to go through any floodwaters for your own safety. Also be aware that a hotel/casino may temporarily close their exits to the Strip or the parking garage/valet parking because of high water, but the water usually recedes pretty quickly and everything will be back to normal as soon as possible.
Traveling to Vegas in the winter months can also be a great treat if you're used to living in more frigid northern climates, or if you don't really experience any cold because you live someplace really warm, like Southern Florida or South Texas. Temperatures during November and December are usually quite pleasant; I've been visiting when the daytime temperatures have been in the 40's and 50's, and it's quite comfortable for me in a light jacket or sweater. Of course, the nighttime temperatures can dip into the 20's and 30's easily, so be sure to bring plenty of clothing on if you're not used to those lows.
Something else you shouldn't be surprised to see in Vegas during the winter months: snow. Yes, it's snowed on the Las Vegas Strip quite a few times in the past couple of years, and it makes for a very pretty picture, indeed. I've never been lucky enough to be in Vegas during a snowfall, but it's something I'd love to experience in person.
This photo was taken from a hotel room window by one of my LV4E friends known as "skybank" - and what a peaceful view it is:
Don't be surprised when the snow doesn't stay around for too long, though. As soon as the sun comes out with the temperatures holding in the 40's or above, the snow will turn to slush and water, and it'll soon be a happy Vegas memory. Just remember that Las Vegans (and tourists) don't necessarily know how to drive in those conditions, and watch out if you're in a car or on foot.
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Because Las Vegas is not used to getting a lot of snow or rain at any given time, be aware that experiencing either may cause delays at the airport, or traffic tie-ups around the city and on the highways out of town. Be sure to check for flight delays or road closures before you head out on your journey.
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No matter what type of weather you experience in Las Vegas, I leave you with this one bit of truth: It's always a very pleasant 72 degrees in the casinos!
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Have a great trip!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Be careful out there! A few basic safety tips for you.
It may sound silly, but be cautious when you're in Vegas. There are people and things that will get you in Vegas if you're not careful!
Keep your money and your ID somewhere other than a back pants pocket. Putting money and other valuables in your back pocket makes it easy for pickpockets to get at and you won't even know it's missing.
Ladies, if you carry a purse...take a smaller one with a strap that goes across your body, or put your money and ID somewhere else on your person. And don't set your purse on the seat (or floor) next to you, for goodness sake!
Watch your chips at table games. Just because someone sitting or standing next to you (or behind you) seems nice, that doesn't mean they are. Craps is an especially vulnerable game because you lean in when you throw the dice, and your chips are sometimes exposed to passersby - or an unscrupulous player at the table.
Watch for distractions. If someone says, "I think you dropped something", don't lean down and pick it up, whatever it is! Instead, ask them if they could pick it up for you. (Be sure to thank them when they do it.) They could be trying to get your purse, your shopping bags, or even cash out your TITO ticket while you're leaning down. It happens all the time, so don't be a Vegas theft statistic.
Drink lots of water. This may sound really silly, but if you're planning on doing a lot of walking, you need to stay hydrated, especially if it's summer. You are in the desert, and there's very little humidity, so you lose water quickly. During July, August and September, temperatures could easily get into the 110's during the daytime hours. If you tend to drink a lot of alcohol, try to drink water after every one or two alcoholic drinks. Otherwise you could find yourself in your room - or the hospital - faster than your bankroll slips away. For this reason, I would suggest less walking during the daylight hours if the temperatures are above 105.
Wear comfortable shoes. Yes, I know those 3-inch heels look really good with that cute little outfit, but I'd really think of something a little more, um, practical for your walk down the Strip. If you're planning to be on your feet all day long, you really might want to consider a comfortable shoe (preferably without a heel) for most of your Vegas adventures. Save the cute heels for dinner at your hotel or a night of club-hopping - or at least spring for a cab if you're going to wear the foot torture. Long-time Vegas goers don't feel sorry for girls walking down the Strip with their shoes in their hands at 3 a.m. They just don't.
Don't forget sunblock! It may sound weird for a year-round warning, but you can get sunburned very quickly...and your lips will dry out super-fast if you don't watch it! The wind and sun can be especially harsh with the lower humidity. I would also recommend taking a nasal spray if you are prone to nosebleeds (that dang dry air again!), and a really good lotion to apply before you leave your hotel room in the morning. I'd even reapply that lotion before you go out at night just to stay comfortable.
Don't jaywalk across the Strip! Just because you think you can make it, or you do it where you live, stay in the crosswalks, please! Make sure you don't cross against the traffic lights, either. It's a good way to get killed, and it's illegal, no matter how many idiots you see doing it. If you get hit and survive, expect a ticket. In 2007, five people were killed trying to cross the Strip, and dozens more were injured in their attempts. Most of the Strip now has elevated bridges that you can access by escalator or elevator, and more are being built every year for your safety.
Basic safety - don't be a statistic in Vegas!
Keep your money and your ID somewhere other than a back pants pocket. Putting money and other valuables in your back pocket makes it easy for pickpockets to get at and you won't even know it's missing.
Ladies, if you carry a purse...take a smaller one with a strap that goes across your body, or put your money and ID somewhere else on your person. And don't set your purse on the seat (or floor) next to you, for goodness sake!
Watch your chips at table games. Just because someone sitting or standing next to you (or behind you) seems nice, that doesn't mean they are. Craps is an especially vulnerable game because you lean in when you throw the dice, and your chips are sometimes exposed to passersby - or an unscrupulous player at the table.
Watch for distractions. If someone says, "I think you dropped something", don't lean down and pick it up, whatever it is! Instead, ask them if they could pick it up for you. (Be sure to thank them when they do it.) They could be trying to get your purse, your shopping bags, or even cash out your TITO ticket while you're leaning down. It happens all the time, so don't be a Vegas theft statistic.
Drink lots of water. This may sound really silly, but if you're planning on doing a lot of walking, you need to stay hydrated, especially if it's summer. You are in the desert, and there's very little humidity, so you lose water quickly. During July, August and September, temperatures could easily get into the 110's during the daytime hours. If you tend to drink a lot of alcohol, try to drink water after every one or two alcoholic drinks. Otherwise you could find yourself in your room - or the hospital - faster than your bankroll slips away. For this reason, I would suggest less walking during the daylight hours if the temperatures are above 105.
Wear comfortable shoes. Yes, I know those 3-inch heels look really good with that cute little outfit, but I'd really think of something a little more, um, practical for your walk down the Strip. If you're planning to be on your feet all day long, you really might want to consider a comfortable shoe (preferably without a heel) for most of your Vegas adventures. Save the cute heels for dinner at your hotel or a night of club-hopping - or at least spring for a cab if you're going to wear the foot torture. Long-time Vegas goers don't feel sorry for girls walking down the Strip with their shoes in their hands at 3 a.m. They just don't.
Don't forget sunblock! It may sound weird for a year-round warning, but you can get sunburned very quickly...and your lips will dry out super-fast if you don't watch it! The wind and sun can be especially harsh with the lower humidity. I would also recommend taking a nasal spray if you are prone to nosebleeds (that dang dry air again!), and a really good lotion to apply before you leave your hotel room in the morning. I'd even reapply that lotion before you go out at night just to stay comfortable.
Don't jaywalk across the Strip! Just because you think you can make it, or you do it where you live, stay in the crosswalks, please! Make sure you don't cross against the traffic lights, either. It's a good way to get killed, and it's illegal, no matter how many idiots you see doing it. If you get hit and survive, expect a ticket. In 2007, five people were killed trying to cross the Strip, and dozens more were injured in their attempts. Most of the Strip now has elevated bridges that you can access by escalator or elevator, and more are being built every year for your safety.
Basic safety - don't be a statistic in Vegas!
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