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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to worry about theft from beaches and poolsides on holiday

50 replies

cakeorwine · 16/07/2022 12:34

Just DS and I. I do have a waterproof pack that I have taken in the water - and it does keep the phone , keys and money safe. But I feel a bit self conscious wearing it as I don't see anyone else with them. At the same time, I don't really want to leave a bag by a towel or a sunbed alone whilst I am in the water with DS. Even if he is around. Sometimes it's just me.

I know I shouldn't feel self conscious - I do feel as if I am being paranoid. But surely people do go in a pool with their family and partners - and they do leave valuable stuff unattended.

Does anyone else worry - or are people relaxed about such things?

OP posts:
Boxowine · 16/07/2022 12:38

Do you have the waterproof wallet that straps to your waist or are you bobbing about with a bag in your hand? Either way it doesn't matter and no one really cares. I have the wallet that straps because I care more about not having my important things stolen. But I don't bring a lot with me.

Original poster
cakeorwine · 16/07/2022 12:45

It goes around the waist. I don't think I have ever seen anyone else with one. It makes me wonder why I am the only one - does no one else worry?

OP posts:
mum11970 · 16/07/2022 12:46

This is great for locking to a sunbed or weighted parasol.

to worry about theft from beaches and poolsides on holiday
coffeecupsandfairylights · 16/07/2022 12:47

If I'm in a hotel I just hide valuables under a towel or in a bag under my sun lounger.

At the beach I bury stuff in the sand.

coffeecupsandfairylights · 16/07/2022 12:47

I also have a locked safe/box that can go on the car so all you need to carry is the key if you're not going far from the car park.

Tyrtle · 16/07/2022 12:47

I wouldn’t take anything expensive down to the pool with me. You don’t need to take your phone and money from your hotel room down to the pool? Just take the hotel key and a small bit of ice cream money.

KnittingNeedles · 16/07/2022 12:49

What valuables do you have? We are just back from 2 weeks in Menorca and paid 20 euros deposit for a safe in the room. All the passports, money, phones, tablets etc were locked in the safe. When we went to the pool we took books, towels, sunscreen. Room key was just a swipe card with no number so pretty useless.

Why are you taking everything with you?

NeverDropYourMooncup · 16/07/2022 12:50

coffeecupsandfairylights · 16/07/2022 12:47

If I'm in a hotel I just hide valuables under a towel or in a bag under my sun lounger.

At the beach I bury stuff in the sand.

Which formed a significant proportion of my work everyday when I handled travel insurance claims for a living.

Every single one was declined because, well, what exactly did people expect was going to happen when leaving expensive stuff unattended to go off for a swim?

Original poster
cakeorwine · 16/07/2022 12:51

Why are you taking everything with you

Well - it's a campsite so we have the car keys. Phone because it is handy to call DS if he is out and a credit card. So not everything. And we do like to drive to beaches.

OP posts:
HangOnToYourself · 16/07/2022 12:51

It's tough when it's just you and a child. I wouldnt worry about feeling self conscious, nobody will really notice and even if they do you will never see them again so try to just do what suits you best. Just keep what you take with you to the bare minimum

Badgirlriri · 16/07/2022 12:52

Most people take their phones to the pool so I’m not sure why people are acting baffled by OP doing this.

Bonjovispjs · 16/07/2022 12:52

I never used to worry about this until my bag was stolen from around the pool in Mexico, I too always left belongings under the sun lounger, never had a problem for years until then. I still don't understand how I didn't see anyone, it was only a small pool and I kept glancing over to check on it, then one time it just wasn't there, I'll be a lot more careful in future even though I had years and years of foreign holidays with no issues.

PuckeredArseFace · 16/07/2022 12:52

For phones and keys, take a clean nappy and wrap them up in that to leave near your towel.
You may get filthy looks but I guarantee no-one will go near it Grin

Bonjovispjs · 16/07/2022 12:54

Lost my money, phone etc, but at least my passport was back at the hotel, I believe some people may even carry those around🤔

coffeecupsandfairylights · 16/07/2022 12:55

Which formed a significant proportion of my work everyday when I handled travel insurance claims for a living.

Every single one was declined because, well, what exactly did people expect was going to happen when leaving expensive stuff unattended to go off for a swim?

I never said I left anything expensive un-attended? I just said I hid things in bags or buried them in the sand.

I'm not talking about expensive phones or tablets!

Original poster
cakeorwine · 16/07/2022 12:55

Bonjovispjs · 16/07/2022 12:52

I never used to worry about this until my bag was stolen from around the pool in Mexico, I too always left belongings under the sun lounger, never had a problem for years until then. I still don't understand how I didn't see anyone, it was only a small pool and I kept glancing over to check on it, then one time it just wasn't there, I'll be a lot more careful in future even though I had years and years of foreign holidays with no issues.

This is it. I see loads of unattended bags on beaches, by pools, and I wonder if people just aren't worried or don't think it would happen to them.

OP posts:
MermaidSwimming · 16/07/2022 12:57

I have a car lock safe ( not sure of proper name) that locks to door handle for keys, waterproof phone case and don't take cash out except maybe few pounds that I wouldn't be overly bothered if I lost

Imissprosecco · 16/07/2022 13:02

When I was young and naive I had my purse stolen on the beach It was right next to me but I fell asleep. Take as little as possible out with you or use one of the wallet things.

Hollyhead · 16/07/2022 13:03

I leave my bag on the beach but it won’t contain valuables - towel, room key if unlabelled, suncream and book. All easily replaced.

momager1 · 16/07/2022 13:03

we have a pacsafe. We travel several times a year (at least we did precovid... first trip since first lockdown is in august!) whether at the beach or pool you attach them to your sunbed or a palmtree. They have a combo lock so no one can open them and the strap that locks it down is not cuttable. This is the model we have int.pacsafe.com/pages/sustainability

cheninblanc · 16/07/2022 13:11

My daughter, who is 18 and deeply conscious about how people see her, wore a lanyard that held everything in it all day on her holiday. It was waterproof and did the job

Fairislefandango · 16/07/2022 13:25

I don't really worry about it tbh. Often one of the four of us will stay with our stuff on the beach, but not always. I'm 50 and have had quite a lot of beach holidays in my life. I've never known anything get stolen.

girlmom21 · 16/07/2022 13:30

Try not to be self-conscious about the waterproof bag. It's the sensible thing to do.

TheLeadbetterLife · 16/07/2022 13:41

I don’t take anything valuable to the beach, why would you need it? If someone wants to steal my old beach bag while I’m in the sea their booty will consist of a book, suncream and maybe 10€ cash. I bury my car key in the sand, under my towel.

girlfriend44 · 16/07/2022 13:53

its easy you bury the stuff in the sand.