The safety of your valuables is a concern with hotel staff, like housekeeping workers, coming in and out of the room.Disasters or emergencies can turn a nice hotel stay into a nightmare.It's a good thing that you can promote safety during your stay by securing personal items in your room and by promoting safety upon your arrival.
Step 1: You should supervise your luggage and overnight bags.
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.All luggage should be kept within arm's reach at all times, especially when you are checking in.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 non-ground level room for you to request.
Most of the time ground level windows are a point of entry.If you want someone to break into your room from the outside, you should request a room on the second floor or higher.You might want to ask for a room on floors three through five.These can still be reached by emergency personnel.
Step 3: You should prevent your room number from being overheard.
The name and room number of your hotel should not be announced.It is 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 security.
Step 4: Credit card fraud can be avoided.
You might be tempted to put your credit card on the front desk if you are 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 wallet or purse.After it's returned to you, inspect your card.In some cases, you may be given the wrong card.
Step 5: Take the business cards with you.
You don't know when an emergency will occur.If you need to contact your hotel, having a business card will allow you to provide an address for where you're staying.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 have staff with you, 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 to make sure it's empty.Look for closets, the shower, and behind doors.
Step 7: You should check the room for damage.
Hotel staff may have missed safety features, like broken locks and deadbolts.If your room's safety features are broken, request a new room.Turn the handle to make sure the lock works.Safety locks and deadbolts are included.
Step 8: The safety lock is used inside the room.
Most hotel rooms have an additional safety lock above or below the handle lock and deadbolt on their door.The 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.The safety lock will only provide minimal safety if the wood moves or strains.
Step 9: It's a good idea to keep a flashlight next to your sleeping area.
It's important to stay in areas where earthquakes are common.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.Your phone may not have much charge if there is a disaster.It's 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 prime candidates for room safe storage.Small valuables can be hidden in pockets and smuggled out of your room.You should keep these in your room as well.If your room safe is easy to break into, you may want to use the front desk safe instead.
Step 11: You can use the front desk safe.
If your room safe is small, you may need to split your valuables between it and the front desk.Larger items can't fit in your room safe and may 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: When you aren't in your room, seal your luggage.
Hotel workers may be attracted to a glimpse of a designer dress or a fancy suit.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, like a closet or under the bed.
Step 13: There are luggage and technology locks to use.
The small locks used to secure luggage or technology 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.Most hardware stores, technology stores and luggage stores have these kinds of locks.
Step 14: You should close your room completely when you leave.
It is easier for a thief to break into open windows.Every time you leave your room, make sure the window, balcony, and door are locked.It's possible to hop from the balcony of a neighboring room to your own on higher floors.