We all know that safety is paramount when staying in hotels and motels, especially for female friends who need to be extra cautious. So, what safety precautions should you take when checking into a hotel? How can you ensure the security of your hotel room? Let’s find out together!
- Choose Your Hotel Wisely Choosing the right hotel is crucial. Avoid opting for cheap hotels that compromise on personal and property security.
- Prevent Strangers from Following You into Your Room When traveling alone, especially for business or leisure, always be vigilant to prevent strangers from following you into your hotel room. Be mindful of your surroundings when checking in and filling out personal information to prevent your details from being exposed. Additionally, try to avoid riding in elevators alone with individuals of the opposite sex. Before entering your room, also check if anyone is following you.
- Identify Emergency Exit Routes As a precaution, take a few minutes to review the emergency exit map whenever you visit an unfamiliar place. Natural disasters can strike unexpectedly, and having this information beforehand can help you evacuate quickly and safely.
- Inspect Room Facilities After checking into your room, carefully inspect for hidden cameras or other privacy-compromising devices. Use your phone’s camera to check hidden areas such as air vents, light fixtures, ceilings, toilets, and behind the TV for any unusual red lights, which could indicate a pinhole camera. If you find anything suspicious, report it immediately.
- Check for Hiding Places in the Room Upon entering your hotel room, check thoroughly for any hidden occupants or items left behind by previous guests. Sometimes, housekeeping may overlook things, so it’s essential to ensure your room is secure before settling in.
- Verify the Peephole Before entering your room, inspect the peephole to ensure it hasn’t been tampered with. A compromised peephole may have obstructed or unclear views, possibly due to a reverse lens installed by intruders. Ensure there’s a small cover inside the peephole; if missing, use a piece of paper as a substitute, which can be easily removed when needed.
- Inspect Mirrors For privacy safety, inspect every mirror in your hotel room. Use your phone’s flashlight and camera against the glass to check for any unusual reflections, which could indicate a two-way mirror.
- Avoid Disclosing Your Room Number Whether during check-in, dining at the restaurant, or talking to strangers, never disclose your room number to others. Also, if meeting someone new, choose a public place rather than your hotel room.
- Exercise Caution When Opening Doors If someone knocks on your door unexpectedly, exercise extreme caution. Even if they claim to be hotel staff, do not open the door without verifying their identity by calling the front desk first. Use the peephole to identify the visitor and ensure your door is securely closed to prevent unauthorized entry.
Additionally, if you’re unfamiliar with the local area’s safety, avoid going out alone at night. Call the hotel front desk if you need assistance.
- Secure Doors and Windows No matter how luxurious your hotel is, always lock your doors and windows securely before sleeping. Use the internal latch or use door extra lock for safety for additional security, ensuring no one can enter your room even if the locks are tampered with.
