Purse snatchers when using rollator

[LindaKE]

I'm taking my rollator on our upcoming cruise because I can't walk very far and tire easily. I can walk short distances on level ground, just not long distances, uneven ground, or standing in lines, etc. This will be the first time I have taken it on a trip. What is the best way to carry a purse with it? At home, I stuff DH's pockets rather than being unbalanced by a purse. But I'll have too much stuff to do that on the cruise. I'm wondering what is the safest way to carry a purse without making yourself an easy prey for purse snatchers. I would think someone with an obvious disability would be seen as being easy pickings. And if my hands are on the rollator, they cannot also be on my purse.

[PennyAgain]

You didn't say where you are going. It makes a difference. You need to wear a hidden security (waist) wallet for passport, credit cards and most of your money in many places.

 

Please tell us where?

[katisdale]

I got rid of lots of stuff when I got my rollator. I carry one credit card and my driver's license as well as a small packet of kleenex in my purse. Money goes in a neck pouch under my clothes. I got my purse from Magellan's it has a steel cord in the handle and I wear in across my chest. This is how I went out in my neighborhood with the rollator.

[LindaKE]

We're going to Canada/New England. I think that would probably be less likely to have a purse snatcher problem than poorer areas. But that doesn't mean we shouldnt take precautions.

[PennyAgain]

Thanks to Heaven you aren't talking about Italy! Canada/New England is easy! You will love Halifax!

 

Coolish weather so you can wear a jacket and/or travel vest with multiple pockets in addition to your security wallet. No purse!

 

On your trip I wouldn't have security worries, but would want your hands free to take care of yourself and your new wheels. You don't need anything to tilt you off balance.

 

If I carry a purse at all it is only for snacks and tissues. Makes life so much easier!

 

Check out www.magellans.com for travel clothing and gear ideas and www.travelsmith.com as well.

 

You need pockets!

[Splinter]

Use a purse or walker bag only for things like sunblock. Wear a fanny pack on the front of your body for your valuables. Never wear it on the side or back, and if approached by a stranger or in a crowd, keep one hand on your fanny pack. Tricky thieves have been known to slice them with a razor blade to get what is inside. Take only cash you need and one credit card. I take those in a little folder, and leave my wallet on the ship. Both those and my digital camera and any meds I need fit well in my fanny pack. I am AB, but when we are ashore I am pushing my mother's manual wheelchair, so I have my hands full too.

[uppitycats]

I leave most valuables on board ship, taking only one credit card, and a small amount of cash (and my passport and cruise ship card). I wear a fanny pack, and wear it in front, so someone would have to come straight up to me to access it. I don't wear fancy jewelry or clothing, so as to not attract attention. I don't wear my ship card around my neck on a lanyard, so it's not so obvious that I'm a tourist. I don't flash around a lot of money, or make any big fuss..again, I try to attract the least amount of attention possible.

 

I don't worry much in New England and Canada, for sure...but managed to get by for 6 weeks in the Philippines where thievery is common, without any problem.

[LindaKE]

Thanks.

[Queenie2]

Well I don't use a rollator, but I still take precautions. I put my id, a few credit cards and cash in a small change purse and put it in my front pants pocket. Sure I carry a bag, but it has stuff like water, hairbrush, makeup, etc. If it gets stolen no big deal. My money is easy for me to get too, but hard for someone to do a grab and go or a slash and run. I'm not a huge fan of neck pouches or the like, as it kind of advertises where you have your valuables. Plus crooks watch people when they are shopping to see where they put their money. There's no foolproof method, but just try to do whatever you can to not make yourself an easy target. Most crooks are lazy too -- they don't want to have to work for it!

 

Candy

[Harleycat]

Thanks to Heaven you aren't talking about Italy! Canada/New England is easy! You will love Halifax!

 

Coolish weather so you can wear a jacket and/or travel vest with multiple pockets in addition to your security wallet. No purse!

 

On your trip I wouldn't have security worries, but would want your hands free to take care of yourself and your new wheels. You don't need anything to tilt you off balance.

 

If I carry a purse at all it is only for snacks and tissues. Makes life so much easier!

 

Check out www.magellans.com for travel clothing and gear ideas and www.travelsmith.com as well.

 

You need pockets!

 

I agree about Travelsmith. I've used nothing but a Travelsmith bag for years. That strap goes across your chest leaving your hands free and the flap goes towards your body to prevent pickpocketing. They also stand behind their products. I had a zipper on one break after I owned it for a number of years and they replaced it for free.

[Queenie2]

I'd also add that if aomeone tries to take your bag, let them have it (after all your valuables will be elsewhere). I've known so many ladies that have been horribly injured because they were dragged (either by a scooter or a person) when they wouldn't let go.

 

Candy

[cusyl]

I never take a purse. Going ashore I take a canvas shopping bag and tie the handles to the rollator. Credit Card and ship pass are in a pocket of my slacks.

[mycruisedirector]

I walk with a cane and we have traveled extensively. I use a security neck pouch that I loop around my bra strap and then drop down into my pants below my waist band. My credit card, passport and cash are kept snuggly between my pants and me out of sight with no weight on my neck.

I purchased a little "ameribag" 8 inches or so that I cross across my chest that I keep a small amount of my money for the day, my little camera, lipstick etc. in. The bag looks like a very small banana shaped bag and slips next to my body usually covered by my sweater or jacket.

I do not place any purses on my shoulder or in my hand where they can be easily taken from me. We have never had a problem, my arms are free to keep my balance and I make a less easy target. Happy travels.

[WinterSky]

After reading all of the posts in reply to your question, I decided to offer a few points for your consideration as well...

 

I have been living in Charlottetown, PEI for 20 years, but did previously live near Halifax, NS and we still go to Halifax regularly as I have relatives who live there. After reading comments about security not being an issue in Halifax, I felt I had to add a caution.

 

As in any port city, there are opportunistic individuals in Halifax who would prey on cruise ship visitors. Don't get me wrong, Halifax is wonderful, but you need to be as prudent about your personal security as you would be in any city. If you stay in the area developed with boardwalk, shops, hotels and casino etc. you will have a wonderful time. Moving only a few blocks above and to one side of this area will place you in a section of Halifax that I would hesitate to walk alone, especially late in the day. It is just a matter of using good sense.

 

Alexander Keith's Brewery Tour is a must-do! The original Alexander Keith's Brewery is located on the Historic Halifax waterfront and they offer a tour... I forget what our tickets were, but I think it is only about $12 or $15 per person. What is particularly neat is that this brewery which began in 1820 is still a working brewery today some 170 years later. The tour offers a historic glimpse into another time and you actually see the workings of the brewery. The tour is classified as partially wheelchair accessible and prospective visitors are encouraged to telephone for more details (toll free number at the link below). You should be fine with a rollator. The tour also has a fun ending! After the tour, you can have lunch at the on-site pub. When we were there we enjoyed live Keltic music.

 

http://www.halifaxkiosk.com/Alexander-Keiths-Brewery-Tour.php

 

Back to personal safety... I too, use a rollator and would suggest as did other posters that you keep only a small amount of cash in your purse. I always carry my passport, credit cards etc. Under my clothing (dare I say) in a pouch that I affix to the inside upper cup of my 'DD' cup bra!!!

 

Have a great trip!

WinterSky

[Putterdude]

DW double wraps the purse straps around one of the handles of her rollator and has never had a problem.

[LindaKE]

Thank you everyone. This forum is soooooo helpful!

 

I ordered one of those under your clothes packs that pin to your clothes for my passport and credit cards. I had never thought of wrapping my purse straps around my bra, but that may be a good idea for the rest of my things. I had thought of getting a small bag of some sort that doesn't look like a purse for stuff like tissues, lipstick, etc. and put that bag in the rollator's basket. I just don't think it is a good idea to look like my purse is in the basket. It might be seen as tempting to roving eyes.

 

I'm not really worried about crime - just trying to be sensible and take precautions.

[xxoocruiser]

Thank you everyone. This forum is soooooo helpful!

 

I ordered one of those under your clothes packs that pin to your clothes for my passport and credit cards. I had never thought of wrapping my purse straps around my bra, but that may be a good idea for the rest of my things. I had thought of getting a small bag of some sort that doesn't look like a purse for stuff like tissues, lipstick, etc. and put that bag in the rollator's basket. I just don't think it is a good idea to look like my purse is in the basket. It might be seen as tempting to roving eyes.

 

I'm not really worried about crime - just trying to be sensible and take precautions.

 

Assuime you meant BAR and not Bra as your posting states. If you did intentionaly mean BRA. This absoultely is a bad idea ! You stand the risk of being injuried should someone attempt a "snatch and grab". You'll be pulled to the ground.

[LindaKE]

Somewhere I did read BRA, but cannot find it again. However BAR makes much more sense and sounds much more comfortable!