For any traveler, a hotel room becomes a home-away-from-home. An assumed and expected safe space to relax, store personal possessions and valuables and, of course, to unwind and sleep.
Ensuring your safety and security while staying in a hotel is essential to enjoying a worry-free trip. In recent years, heightened awareness of privacy concerns, including hidden cameras and unauthorized access, has made hotel safety a priority for savvy travelers. Here are practical tips and tools to help you feel safe and secure during your next hotel stay.
1. Inspect Your Room for Hidden Cameras
Hidden cameras in hotel rooms are rare but not unheard of. To protect your privacy:
- Invest in a Hidden Camera Detector: These small, portable devices can help identify hidden cameras by detecting lenses or unusual signals. Sweep the room, focusing on areas like mirrors, smoke detectors, alarm clocks, and other electronics.
- Use Your Smartphone: A simple flashlight test can reveal hidden lenses. Turn off the lights, shine your phone’s flashlight around the room, and look for reflections that could indicate a camera lens.
2. Secure Your Door
Even with hotel locks in place, it’s worth adding extra layers of security:
- Use a Door Wedge or Portable Lock: These inexpensive tools prevent the door from being opened even if someone has a key.
- Engage the Deadbolt and Security Chain: Always use the built-in locks on your hotel door when you’re inside.
- Put a Towel At Bottom of Door: Take one of the bath towels and bunch it up at the bottom of the door to the room, helping to prevent unauthorized access to your room.
- Avoid Propping the Door Open: Even for a quick errand, leaving your door ajar increases your vulnerability.
3. Check for Vulnerabilities
Take a few minutes to inspect your room’s overall security:
- Examine Windows and Sliding Doors: Ensure they lock properly. If not, request another room or use a portable window lock for added security.
- Identify Emergency Exits: Familiarize yourself with the location of fire exits and emergency routes as outlined on the back of your room’s door.
4. Protect Your Valuables
While most hotels provide safes, their reliability can vary:
- Use a Portable Travel Safe: These small, lockable pouches can be secured to fixed objects and are ideal for storing passports, cash, and electronics.
- Keep Items with You: When possible, carry your most important belongings in a secure, anti-theft bag.
5. Be Mindful of Your Digital Privacy
With increased reliance on digital devices, protecting your online security is just as crucial:
- Avoid Public Wi-Fi: Use a VPN to encrypt your internet connection and protect sensitive information.
- Disconnect Smart TVs and Devices: Hotel smart TVs and other devices might store data or connect to your accounts. Always log out and disconnect before leaving.
6. Trust Your Instincts
If something doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate to act:
- Request a Room Change: If your room is in an isolated area or has noticeable security flaws, ask for a different one.
- Report Suspicious Activity: Notify hotel management or security if you see anything unusual or concerning.
Your hotel stay should be a haven of comfort, not a source of stress. By taking proactive steps to secure your space and protect your privacy, you can ensure a safer and more enjoyable travel experience.
