By Michelle Annese
From a business trip to the next weekend get-a-way,
personal safety and security should be
on your mind. It can be
especially challenging when your flight was delayed, the taxi cab
line was never ending and all you want to do is park, check-in
and get to your room as fast as possible. But wait… take
some time now to think about your safety with these easy but life-protecting
tips…
Checking in...
- if valet parking is available, use it. If not,
park by the lobby doors and ask for a hotel escort into the parking
lot or garage. A small tip to the person assisting you is well
worth to protect your safety.
- travel the lot to park in the most safest space
possible. Check to make sure no one is loitering and where you
park is well-lit. Try to park as close to the lobby as possible.
- take out all personal items, laptops, electronic
devices, money or any other valuables out before you or the valet
parks your vehicle. Take items with you or lock them in your trunk.
- when registering, use only your first initial
and your last name. Use your business address and phone number.
- request for a room not on a first or second
floor (more thefts occur on these two levels especially if there
is a sliding glass door, window or balcony) and available with
an inside corridor. If the hotel has many buildings, get your room
within the main building of the hotel.
- ask the front desk attendant to write down
your room number, not said out loud to have bystanders overhear
what room you are in.
- ask the hotel staff about the safety of jogging
nearby or walking from your hotel to nearby restaurants, movie
theaters or the parking lot. They are often the most reliable source
of information about the neighborhood. Don't hesitate to ask about
transportation shuttle services and escorts to your car or room.
If you inquire about or walking areas at the front desk, verify
the employee giving you advice has knowledge of the area.
- if your room key is labeled with the room number,
take care not to let others see that number. Safeguard your key
at all times. Especially in public places. Don’t leave it
at a restaurant table, by the swimming pool, bar or gym. Don’t
give it to others. Don’t leave it in the room or in the hotel
room door.
- do not draw attention to yourself by wearing
large pieces of jewelry or flash large amounts of cash.
- keep an eye out for your luggage both to and
from your hotel room.
- locate all fire exits, fire extinguishers and
elevators.
- Do not use the stairs to get to your room.
Always take the elevator. Any secluded part of the hotel is never
a good idea to be in i.e. stairwells, parking garages, dark hallways
etc.
During your stay ...
- make sure the windows and the between-room
door are all locked.
- use all the locks on your door every time you’re
in your room, especially the dead bolt, flip lock or chain at night.
- put all valuables in the room safe and make
sure it is one that is bolted to the floor. Never leave jewelry,
credit cards or cash lying around your room.
- if someone knocks on your door, don’t
open it right away. Keep the door shut and use the peephole and
ask the person to identify themselves. If you don’t know
them, don’t open the door. If they claim to be hotel personnel
or security, call down to the front desk to make sure the hotel
sent them. If their story does not check-out and there is no reason
for the person to be there, tell them to go away and then notify
the front desk.
- Consider purchasing a portable room alarm.
They can hang on the inside door knob, or a floor device that sounds
an alarm if your hotel door is opened. To get these room safety
devices, go to http://www.safetyquestproducts.com/alarm.htm they’re
small and easy to travel with. They can fit into a pocket or purse.
- always leave the ‘do not disturb’ tag
on the outside of your door.
- When leaving put the lights and the T.V. or
radio on to let no one know you have left the room and it is unoccupied.
- if you loose your key, report it immediately
to the hotel’s front desk and ask to be moved to another
room.
- immediately report any suspicious activity
to the Hotel’s staff.
When you check-out…
- search through your belongings to make sure
all forms of I.D. are safe and nothing is missing with personal
information on it.
- request an escort to your vehicle in the parking
garage or lot.
- check the inside of the vehicle before getting
in.
By following these hotel safety tips, you can
increase your protection from a personal assault or theft. Making
your business or vacation trip safer and being less of a target
for a criminal.
Michelle Annese is a 3rd degree black belt with
15+ years experience teaching self defense and safety for women
and children. She is the creator of The Realtor Survival Guide,
Protection for Women , and The SafeGuard System for Kids. For more
information on how to protect yourself and your family check out
other articles by Michelle Annese at http://www.michelleannese.com and
get her free weekly family safety e-newsletter.
