The safety of your valuables is a concern with hotel staff coming in and out of the room.Natural disasters and emergencies can turn a nice hotel stay into a nightmare.It's a good thing that you can promote safety when you arrive, during your stay, and while securing personal items in your room.
Step 1: Your luggage and overnight bags should be supervised at all times.
It will be easy for you to misplace your luggage in the main lobby of your hotel.It will be easy for thieves to take advantage of your distraction.It is a good idea to keep your luggage within arm's reach when you are at the airport.If you pass your luggage off to a bellhop, be careful.Thieves may try to imitate staff at large hotels.
Step 2: There is a request for a non-ground level room.
There are a lot of ground level windows that are used for break ins.By requesting a room on the second floor or higher, you will limit the chance of someone breaking into your room from the outside.You may want to ask for a room on floors three through five.These will deter break-ins, but can still be reached by emergency personnel.
Step 3: It's a good idea to prevent your room number from being overheard.
The name and room number of your hotel should not be announced aloud.It's possible to alert thieves to where to find your room.If the hotel desk worker says something loud, ask for a different room.The simple fact is that your room number should be private for your own protection.
Step 4: Credit card fraud can be prevented.
You might be tempted to put your credit card on the front desk when traveling with family or in a group.If you have a cell phone, it's a good idea to take a picture of your credit card information.When the desk worker is ready to process your hotel fee, keep your credit card in your purse or wallet.After it's returned to you, inspect your card.In some cases, you may be given the wrong card.
Step 5: Take the hotel's business cards with you.
You don't know when an emergency will occur.If you need to contact your hotel, you can provide an address for where you're staying or a number.Getting lost in unfamiliar cities is prevented by this technique.One business card should be visible in your room, like by the phone or on the nightstand, and the other in the wallet or purse.
Step 6: If you are accompanied by staff, leave the door open.
You can get your baggage to your room through the hotel's valet or porter service.When accompanied to your room by staff, be sure to leave the door open so that no one can accuse you of improper behavior.While the bellhop is there, do a brief check of the room.There are closets, the shower, and behind doors.
Step 7: Damage and function can be checked in the room.
It is possible that hotel staff missed safety features, like broken locks and deadbolts.If the safety features of your room are broken, request a new room.Turn the handle to make sure the lock works.deadbolts and safety locks are included.
Step 8: The safety lock should be used inside the room.
Most hotel rooms have an additional safety lock above or below the handle lock and deadbolt.These locks can be fastened by sliding a piece of metal on a chain into a fixture bolted to the door or door frame.There are insufficient safety locks installed on doors and frames.Pull the door against the lock.Your safety lock will only provide minimal safety if the wood moves or strains.
Step 9: It's a good idea to keep a flashlight near your sleeping area.
This is important when staying in areas prone to earthquakes.Natural disasters can interrupt power and leave you in the dark.In the event of an emergency, keep a small flashlight by your bed or nightstand.There is a flashlight feature on many cell phones.Many people charge their phones at night.If there is a disaster, your phone may not work.It is recommended that you have a battery powered travel flashlight.
Step 10: When out and about, make sure your valuables are locked up in your room.
A safe in your room is usually provided by hotels.Key-lock safes are much riskier than combinations.Electronics, like laptops, music players, and tablets, are often targeted by thieves, making them ideal for room safe storage.Small valuables can be hidden in pockets and smuggled out of the room.You should keep these in your room as well.If your room safe appears to be difficult to break into, you may want to use the front desk safe instead.
Step 11: You can use the front desk safe.
You may need to split your valuables between the safe at the front desk and the one in your room.Larger items might not fit in your room safe and need to be stored in the front desk safe.You should always ask for a written receipt for the items you keep in the safe.Most hotels won't replace items stolen from your room safe, but will keep items in the front desk safe.
Step 12: Don't put your luggage in your room.
Hotel workers may be attracted to a glimpse of a fancy dress.When you're out for the day, keeping your luggage closed will decrease the risk of a hotel worker taking something.To remove temptation, you might want to move your luggage to a less visible location, such as a closet or under the bed.
Step 13: There are luggage and technology locks.
The small locks used to secure luggage won't deter a serious thief, but they will help prevent casual theft.Your locks will send a signal that you're cautious when thieves look for the easiest victims.These kinds of locks can be found in hardware stores and online retailers.
Step 14: When you go out, close your room completely.
A thief will be easier to break into if the windows are open.Every time you leave your room, make sure the windows, balcony, and door are locked.It's possible to hop from the balcony of a neighboring room to your own on higher floors.