Last week I talked about cultural faux pas that could land you in hot water while traveling abroad.
If you missed it click here to read the original article
In response to that, guest contributor Lucy brought up some very important personal security tips that you need to make a habit when you find yourself staying in a hotel room.
Lucy Writes:
Whether traveling for business or pleasure, a hotel can be your temporary home away from home.
While staying, you want to feel at least as safe and relaxed as you do in your own home. Adopting a few basic habits as part of your regular routine while traveling will ensure personal safety while staying at hotels.
1. Always lock your doors. This is the easiest habit to incorporate in your routine. Every time you enter
your room lock the door behind you, making sure to use all deadbolts and other locks available.
2. Be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to who and what is around you at all times. Stick with
crowds of people and well lit areas and avoid solitary and dark places.
3. Find your closest exit when you arrive. Always know where your closet emergency exits are in case of fire or other emergencies. Know where multiple exits are, so that you do not have to face troubles in case access to one is blocked.
4. Don't answer your door unless you are expecting room service or housekeeping, and always check the peep hole before answering.
5. Park under lights and close to the hotel entrance. Also, lock your car doors and check the back seat before getting inside.
6. Make sure all sliding glass doors and windows in the room are secure and locked. Sliding glass doors should be equipped with a safety bar in addition to a regular lock.
7. Wherever possible, select hotels that have interior corridors rather than motels. Also look for hotels that have a front that is staffed 24 hours a day.
8. If your room has a safe, you can use it. Lock up your valuables and any personal identification when using hotel facilities such as the gym or pool.
9. Test the front desk staff. Ensure that they provide convincing answers to all your security concerns. This may not be possible to check before you travel, but you can make note of which hotels ensure your safety for future travel. Report issues to the management.
10. Test the housekeeping staff. Tell them you are locked out or your key isn't working. Do they let you in? Let them do the cleaning or any other housekeeping jobs when you are present in the room. This ensures safety to your belongings.
** A note from Joe**
Lucy Did a great job getting these 10 tips together but I had a few more that I wanted to add:
Ask for a room that’s not on the ground floor and if possible request a room somewhere between the 3rd and 6th floors. Thieves are more often than not, looking for an easy buck so they will usually stick to the ground levels. Having a slightly elevated room will make you less of a target for a break in, but low enough to the ground to be reached by a fire truck should a fire occur.
Stay with your luggage. In all the hustle and bustle of a busy lobby, enterprising thieves can take advantage of the distraction and make off with your bags in a flash.
When you leave the room, leave the TV or radio on, or put your “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door; both of these tricks will give potential thieves the impression that you're still there.
At night, leave a pair of shoes next to the bed in case you need to leave in a hurry. Keep your room key, wallet and a flashlight close to hand as well.
It is also VERY important to check with your insurance company and find out if your home owners insurance or renters insurance covers loss while traveling. This can give you a little peace of mind, knowing that should anything happen( hopefully it won't), you will be covered and reimbursed. Most hotels are not liable for items left in a room safe.
