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

Surefire Safety Part 1-Before You Go

Welcome to the first of a six-part series about travel safety! From the largest city to the smallest town, -travelers need to be aware of their surroundings and be prepared for any situation.

Before you leave home for any trip, whether it be regional, national, or international, remind yourself that you don't have to be on the subway at midnight to find yourself in a dangerous situation. In fact, many people are robbed or kidnapped during daylight hours! Be prepared and remember the following advice:

Dress Conservatively - don't allow yourself to stand out like a tourist.

Travel light - you can move more freely and will be able to keep a better eye on your belongings

Leave the valuables behind - only take with you what you need. Leave all jewlerey at home and take the least amount of cash as possible with you.

Put your name, address, and phone numbers inside and outside each piece of luggage -avoid strangers learning your name and information with covered luggage tags.

Leave a copy of your itinerary with your friends or family at home.

Photocopy your passport, airline tickets, driver's license and credit cards - Leave one copy with your friends or family at home and pack the other copy in a separate place from your valuables. (Travel Travel Carlson Wagonlit photocopies all their traveler's passports so Travel Travel is able to send the copy directly to the US Embassy of the country the traveler lost his/her passport.

Always be aware of your surroundings

Bring a cell phone

Carry 5 dollars in your pocket - this will prevent you from becomming stressed should someone approach you for a handout.

Check back tomorrow for more common sense safety tips. Part 2 of the 6 part series will cover driving tips - because the more you know, the better off you will be.

A special thanks to Mike Marchev for the great tips!