10 Hotel Safety Tips that Every Traveler Should Know
Posted: Tuesday, April 29, 2008
by Kimberly
http://kimberlyinChance.blogspot.com
Would you choose a hotel room for yourself, if you knew it was not
accessible to the fire department? That is exactly what you are doing if you are housed in a room any higher then the 6th floor! The 6th floor is the maximum
height that the standard fire departments ladders can reach. If at all possible,
select rooms lower then the 6th floor.
Stay away from the ground floor where there is doors and windows that open
to the outside. Hotels with interior hallways tend to be safer. Rooms that are
facing the courtyards are generally safer then those facing the direct parking
lot.
Always check your rooms closet and bathroom for intruders upon entering.
Always keep your key in the same place closes to your bed in case there is an
emergency in the middle of the night. You will need your key to re-enter your
room after the incident is resolved.
Do you know the difference between a 2-way mirror and a standard mirror? A
2-way mirror looks like a seemingly ordinary mirror hanging on a wall. The
difference is a person can see you, but you cannot see them. Give all mirrors the
"fingernail test." Place the tip of your fingernail against the reflective
surface of the mirror. There should be a "gap" between your fingernail and the
image. If there is, that is a genuine mirror. If there is no gap and your
fingernail directly touches the image then this is a 2-way mirror. There is a
simple saying that goes with this advice, "No space, leave the place"!
Rooms with electronic keys are much safer then the standard key. With the
electronic key the combination is changed with each new guest, unlike the
standard keys with the same room numbers. Always use your deadbolts. If the door
only has a chain, then twist the chain tightly before latching it.
When you exit your room, always leave the TV on. When you exit your room
at night, leave the drapes slightly open with a light on, creating the illusion
that someone is still there. Laptops should never be left in your room. They
should be taken down to the lobby desk for safe keeping. You
wouldn't display your purse or wallet in the middle of a hotel table, but we
consistently do this with our computers. If you are dead set
against taking it down to the lobby, you could find the safety chains that
are usually located in the hotel room closet and fasten your laptop to the sink in your
bathroom.
Although, you hate to think of being physically accosted during a vacation or
business trip, it does happen and you should be prepared. Always carry a
small bundle of bait money that you have readily available to hand over to your
assailant. Make sure that the outside bill is the largest denomination with the remaining inner bundle
consisting of ones.
I actually carry two wallets in my purse, just in case I am approached for money. In my first wallet I carry cash, license and credit cards and keep it at the bottom of my purse. My second wallet holds only old
photos, some change and a few dollar bills which I keep on the top. I also carry a small can of pepper spray in the side pocket.
Of course if
they steal my whole pocketbook, then there is not much else I can do, which leads to my last tip. Ladies, when walking in a crowded area or unfamiliar place try to carry your purse clutched tightly in front of your
body, not loosely on your shoulder or dangling from your hand.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)hi kimberly, this was a well written and interesting article that makes a lot of sense, and is about things we might not think about. thanks for sharing, best regards, sue thomThank you for reading my article Sue, and also for the nice comment! Kimberly
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