Surefire Safety Part 4 - Hotel Safety Tips

For those of you have been anxiously waiting - here it is! Part three of Surefire Safety: Hotel Safety.

You check into your hotel room in a strange city and head to your seemingly safe room. But how safe is it really? Does the housecleaning staff look suspicious? Did someone in the lobby overhear your room number? A million questions can be asked but in order to answer all of them simple safety measures can be taken....

• Don't use the door hanger to order breakfast. - This provides passersby the opportunity to determine if there is only one person in the room
• Look for the exits when you enter a crowded place.
• Ask for another room if the hotel representative tells you aloud what your room number is.
• Ask for two keys, even if you are travelling alone. - This indicates you are not alone and helps in case you lose your key.
• Always request a room with NO adjoining door to another room.
• Make sure you lock the door to the adjoining room if you must stay in one.
• Ask the hotel to call a cab for you.
• Don't stay in a hotel with doors to the outside.
• Carry a can of mace.
• Stay at hotels instead of motels.
• Request a room on the second or higher floor.
• Don't be paranoid- be alert.
• Just because your hotel is in a "safe" area stay alert.
• Refrain from going to the bar alone or drinking alone.

Here are some easy to follow room guidelines:

• Request a room near the elevator and away from renovation work.
• Door should have double locks and a peephole
• Bring along a rubber door stop to slide under the door so no one can get in.
• If your bag is stolen from the hotel, have the hotel management look for it.
• Hang the 'do not disturb' sign on your door.

Guidelines when choosing a hotel:

• Smaller is smarter
• Choose a well-trafficked street or a residential area
• Ask a female employee (other than one in reservations) if she walks around at night
• Reception desk should be near the hotel entrance
• Should be privacy for guests checking in
• Room numbers should be written on the key envelope, never said outloud
• Parking lot should be well lit and secure.
• Valet parking is even better