Hotel Room Security

You don't know the city you are visiting and your hotel is unfamiliar to you. No wonder you feel vulnerable when spending the night away from your home. Don't let crooks that prey on travelers exploit you. Be aware and prepare to make your hotel room your fortress.

Traits of the Secure Hotel
What can you do? The first step is to choose a secure hotel. What makes one hotel safer than another? The location, the type of building, the hotel's rules, and individual room construction all matter. If your hotel doesn't meet most of the following conditions, you may choose to find other accommodations:

• Limited access to the building
• Well-lit hallways and areas around the building
• Hotel staff around throughout the day and night
• Desk staff that uses discretion with your room number and personal information, including the handling of your credit card
• Removal of room keys from the counter immediately at check-out time -- this is especially important with metal keys
• An electronic door to your room
• Solid core wood or metal room doors
• Peepholes and deadbolt locks with one-inch throw bolts
• Deadbolts on any connecting doors between rooms
• Room telephones that allow outside calling]
• Hallway phones that do not allow direct room calling

Simple Check-in Steps
Once satisfied with your hotel's security, request an upper floor room that is not an end unit or next to fire stairs. Being in a room by the elevator is safer, although noisier. Upon checking into your room and when re-entering it, follow a few steps before you kick off your shoes and relax.

• You may want to ask hotel staff to accompany you (tip accordingly)
• Check that locks are functioning on the main door
• Make sure any sliding doors, windows, or adjoining doors are locked
• Verify that no one is hiding in the closets or bathrooms
• Shut your door securely and use the deadbolts
• Have an initial family meeting to discuss hotel safety issues with children

Safe Practices Throughout Your Stay
You've arrived safely, but you can still do more to protect yourself. Some intruders plan to enter when you're away from the room while others look to invade rooms at night while you are in them and fewer staff members are available. Safe practices protect against both types of intruders.

• Turn on a light and the television when you leave the room
• Make sure the door latches before you go on your way
• Place a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door and call housekeeping to receive maid service
• Store valuables in the hotel's safe deposit box
• Don't show large quantities of money or flashy jewelry
• Keep your guest room keys hidden while you are in public areas
• Use the main entrance when returning late in the evening
• Never open the door to a knock when you aren't expecting anyone
• Verify hotel staff members by calling the front desk
• Report any suspicious behavior to the front desk or the police

Take charge over your own safety and make your hotel room the wrong opportunity for crime.