Hotel Safety for Your Next Business Trip or Vacation Get-a-Way

From a business trip to the next weekendfrom your hotel room.
get-a-way, personal safety and security should be on- locate all fire exits, fire extinguishers and elevators.
your mind. It can be especially challenging when your- Do not use the stairs to get to your room. Always
flight was delayed, the taxi cab line was never endingtake the elevator. Any secluded part of the hotel is
and all you want to do is park, check-in and get tonever a good idea to be in i.e. stairwells, parking
your room as fast as possible. But wait... take somegarages, dark hallways etc.
time now to think about your safety with theseDuring your stay ...
easy but life-protecting tips...- make sure the windows and the between-room
Checking in...door are all locked.
- if valet parking is available, use it. If not, park by- use all the locks on your door every time you're in
the lobby doors and ask for a hotel escort into theyour room, especially the dead bolt, flip lock or chain
parking lot or garage. A small tip to the personat night.
assisting you is well worth to protect your safety.- put all valuables in the room safe and make sure it
- travel the lot to park in the most safest spaceis one that is bolted to the floor. Never leave
possible. Check to make sure no one is loitering andjewelry, credit cards or cash lying around your room.
where you park is well-lit. Try to park as close to the- if someone knocks on your door, don't open it right
lobby as possible.away. Keep the door shut and use the peephole and
- take out all personal items, laptops, electronicask the person to identify themselves. If you don't
devices, money or any other valuables out beforeknow them, don't open the door. If they claim to be
you or the valet parks your vehicle. Take items withhotel personnel or security, call down to the front
you or lock them in your trunk.desk to make sure the hotel sent them. If their
- when registering, use only your first initial and yourstory does not check-out and there is no reason for
last name. Use your business address and phonethe person to be there, tell them to go away and
number.then notify the front desk.
- request for a room not on a first or second floor- Consider purchasing a portable room alarm. They
(more thefts occur on these two levels especially ifcan hang on the inside door knob, or a floor device
there is a sliding glass door, window or balcony) andthat sounds an alarm if your hotel door is opened. To
available with an inside corridor. If the hotel has manyget these room safety devices, go to they're small
buildings, get your room within the main building ofand easy to travel with. They can fit into a pocket
the hotel.or purse.
- ask the front desk attendant to write down your- always leave the 'do not disturb' tag on the outside
room number, not said out loud to have bystandersof your door.
overhear what room you are in.- When leaving put the lights and the T.V. or radio on
- ask the hotel staff about the safety of joggingto let no one know you have left the room and it is
nearby or walking from your hotel to nearbyunoccupied.
restaurants, movie theaters or the parking lot. They- if you loose your key, report it immediately to the
are often the most reliable source of informationhotel's front desk and ask to be moved to another
about the neighborhood. Don't hesitate to ask aboutroom.
transportation shuttle services and escorts to your- immediately report any suspicious activity to the
car or room. If you inquire about or walking areas atHotel's staff.
the front desk, verify the employee giving youWhen you check-out...
advice has knowledge of the area.- search through your belongings to make sure all
- if your room key is labeled with the room number,forms of I.D. are safe and nothing is missing with
take care not to let others see that number.personal information on it.
Safeguard your key at all times. Especially in public- request an escort to your vehicle in the parking
places. Don't leave it at a restaurant table, by thegarage or lot.
swimming pool, bar or gym. Don't give it to others.- check the inside of the vehicle before getting in.
Don't leave it in the room or in the hotel room door.By following these hotel safety tips, you can increase
- do not draw attention to yourself by wearing largeyour protection from a personal assault or theft.
pieces of jewelry or flash large amounts of cash.Making your business or vacation trip safer and being
- keep an eye out for your luggage both to andless of a target for a criminal.