Traveling Safely: Hotel Safety

• Only select hotel rooms above the second floor, for security reasons, and below the eighth floor for fire rescue reasons
• Rooms closer to the elevator are more secure than those down a hallway
• Before accepting a room, ensure that the doors and windows lock properly
• Do not enter your room if the door is open or unlocked
• Do not enter your room if someone is loitering outside the door or in the hallway; either keep walking beyond your room or return to the reception desk and ask for an escort
• Do not assume that the door will close and lock by itself; double check to ensure it is locked and secure it with a deadbolt or chain if available
• Use a rubber door wedge to ensure additional door security
• Do not meet with strangers in the room; use the lobby or crowded place for meetings
• Positively identify all visitors before opening your room door; contact the hotel's reception desk for verification of unexpected staff
• Keep porch sliding doors and windows locked; never sleep with an open window
• If alone, use the hotel's gym and pool for exercise rather than jogging on unfamiliar paths or parks

Planning and Departure

• Make your own reservations or use a reputable travel agency
• For business travel to sensitive areas, make reservations using your personal credit card and your employer's street address, do not identify the company
• Use travelers' programs where available to upgrade to more secure executive or concierge floors
• Pre-book your first night's hotel stay
• Arrange transportation from the airport to your hotel
• Because of distractions, the most vulnerable parts of your journey are transfers between your entry/exit point (the airport for example) and your hotel
• Be alert for suspicious persons and behavior
• Have the concierge hold your luggage. Luggage in control of the hotel makes it liable for your property. Ask for and protect claim checks

On Arrival

• Do not wander in the parking lot, garage or public space around the hotel; kidnappers and thieves operate in these areas
• Put your bags against your leg or on your foot during registration; you will feel it if someone moves them
• Place your briefcase or purse on the counter in front of you
• Have the bellman carry your bags and act as security to your room for the first time
• Allow the bellman to open the room, turn lights on and ensure that it is vacant
• Before dismissing him, inspect the door lock, locks on sliding glass doors and windows, door latch and/or chain, room safe, lock on interconnecting doors, telephone and fire alarm
• If you find a discrepancy, immediately request a fix or a room change
• Speak with the bellman, concierge and front desk regarding safe areas around the city in which to jog, dine or sightsee
• Ask about local customs and which taxis or other public transportation to use or avoid
• Ask about the local 911-type emergency number and how to use the local telephone system
• If you have to use parking stickers in your auto, ensure they do not show your name/room number

When In Your Room

• Keep the door closed and engage the dead bolt and privacy latch or chain at all times. Use a doorstop (bring one with you)
• Keep cash, valuables, tickets, passports and other personal documents in the hotel or room safe
• If no safe is available, keep valuables with you or lock them in your suitcase
• When asleep, do not leave valuables in the open. Stow watches, jewelry, wallets, purses, cameras, and laptops in a nightstand, bureau or suitcase
• Do not open your door to anyone unless the person is expected or known to you
• If you question the authenticity of a hotel service employee, verify it by contacting the front desk before allowing entry
• Refuse unexpected packages
• Keep all locks locked

At the Hotel

• Be alert for people watching your movements, who look out of place or who follow you
• Be cautious about discussing personal matters, your itinerary, mode of transportation or other arrangements with strangers or those who may overhear you
• Do not accept food or drink from strangers; criminals are known to drug consumables
• Keep a "do not disturb" sign on your outside door at all times, giving the impression that the room is occupied — whether it is or not
• Call housekeeping only when you are ready for the room to be cleaned. Be present or nearby, if possible, when the cleaning takes place
• Do not place the "Maid Service" sign on the doorknob; this is a signal to thieves that the room is unoccupied
• When out of the room, always leave the television or radio and a light on
• Lock personal and business documents, printed stationary, laptops, and other large valuables that do not fit into a safe in your luggage
• Carry your room key with you instead of leaving it at the front desk. If possible, remove the key from the hotel key ring during your stay
• Thieves determine if a person is in his or her room by checking the room mail slot or key board or by calling the room on the house phone
• Meet people, especially strangers, in the hotel lobby, not in your room
• Safeguard from being overheard you phone credit card numbers when you place a call
• Charge all food, beverages and services to your room bill rather than carry cash
• Be cautious when entering rest rooms. Female travelers should not hang purses on hooks on the inside of lavatory doors, nor place them on the floor in stalls — two favorite locations for grab-and-run thefts
• Have hotel management call for a taxi rather than trying to hail one yourself
• Vary the time and route by which you leave and return to the hotel
• Use only the main entrance when you return at night
• When returning to your room, do not unlock the door if a stranger is standing nearby; keep walking past your door and return only when clear
• Do not enter your room if the door is ajar or not locked. Request assistance from someone at the front desk