How to Stay Safe at a Hotel
Hotel Safety Is Important for Both Solo Travelers and Groups
Apr 3, 2009
Hotel safety is important for not only single travelers, but groups of people as well. Whether it's a top notch resort or a Mom and Pop style motel, it's important to be aware of local surroundings and to be careful. Fortunately, there are many simple things that can be done to stay safe during a hotel stay.
Don't Give Out a Room Number
When checking in to a hotel, make sure that the clerk doesn't say the room number out loud. This is especially important for solo travelers or female travelers. Keep the number private to avoid any problems.
Lock The Door
Keep the deadbolt locked at all times, even during a quick dash down the hall to the soda machine. In addition, use the chain, if there is one. Many specialty stores such as the Sharper Image also sell alarms or motion sensors that can be attached to the front door knob; it may be worth the investment for frequent business travelers.
Report Suspicious Activity
If there are strangers loitering around the hotel or if anyone seems out of place, don't be afraid to report them to hotel security or the front desk. Also, if for any reason a hotel room does not seem safe, such as if the lock doesn't work properly or the window doesn't shut, speak up and ask to switch rooms.
Think Higher - But Not Too High
When checking into a hotel, remember that an upper floor room is much safer than a room on the ground floor. Request a higher floor -- it may be less convenient, especially for business travelers who might have a car parked outside that needs to be accessed frequently -- but it also provides fewer ways for someone to access the room. However, in the case of high rise buildings, don't stay above the seventh floor, should there be a fire. Many times, fire ladders cannot reach past the first few floors of a building, which makes escape more difficult.
Always Verify Staff
If someone knocks on the door, verify who they are before opening it. Call the front desk to verify if someone claims they work for the hotel. This is especially important if there is no reason for a staff member to knock on the door, such as a maintenance worker or room service.
Don't Use the Door Hangers
While business travelers may not wish to be disturbed, hanging the sign up might indicate to some that the room is occupied. In addition, do not use the card indicating to Housekeeping that the room should be cleaned -- it's a sign that also communicates that there is currently no one in the room.
Safety is important no matter where the accommodations are; with these tips, business travelers can help to stay safe during a hotel stay.
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