Keep your Summer Vacation Safe

6/7/2022 (Permalink)

Let  your vacation begin!  You've worked hard al year, you've planned, saved and dreamt about this trip.  Now you are finally at your hotel.   What could possibly go wrong?  Glad  you asked!!  Here are some great ideas for keeping safe in any hotel, whether you are traveling alone or in a group

Keep your bags next to you while checking in.  There are countless stories about people checking in at the front desk and leaving their bags behind them.   Someone walks by and grabs the handle of  your luggage and walks away with it.   What looks strange about a person walking with a suit case in a hotel lobby?  Nothing.  A bright color tag is often a deterrent.

Never put your name on your suitcase.   Even on the airline tag, put initials or write the work code name on the first line and then put in your code name.   

Never say your room number out loud in the lobby.   If you are with a group of people you might be inclined to ask what room other people are in.   That just let anyone sinister enough to break in to burglarize or worse, know what room you are in.

Avoid booking a room on the first floor.   Frist floor rooms are most often broken into for obvious reasons.  Suggestions by experts ar to book between the 2nd and 6th floors.   You are less likely to be broken into, buy also for safety in case of a fire.   A fire truck ladder can typically reach the 6th floor as it's highest point.  Know the hotel layout and the fire exits.    If  you do book a higher floor, don't be caught up in a false sense of security.  If  you booked  a beachfront room, the idea of sleeping with the sliding glass doors open to hear the  ocean is so very appealing, but not the best idea.   There are "balcony jumpers" who are known to enter rooms at night and take wallets and are gone before you even wake up. 

Once you get into your room do a quick inspection.   Look under the bed or beds, behind the curtains, in the closet and in the bathroom.  This is not only to make sure no one is hiding in there, but you can also determine cleanliness.  Check the top nightstand drawer and the headboard.   Pull the mattress away a bit and have a look.   This is where bugs often hide. 

Throw away the little cardboard sleeve your room cards come in.   The hotel will often write your room number on it.   Again, less advertisement of your room number.

Consider purchasing an extra hotel security lock..  You can find them online and there are many kinds.    They are portable and often TSA approved for carry on. 

Even when you are out of your room, make it look and sound like  you are in it.    Put the Do Not Disturb hanger on the outside of  your door and keep the TV on.  Hotel employees are typically trained not to disturb.  If someone is knocking on your door check with the front desk to see if they sent someone up.    Criminals are sneaky and will resort to any tricks to get what they want.   I heard a story about someone knocking on a door with a hotel welcome basket.  The guest checked first and there was no welcome basket sent up.   If  you are going to receive a welcome basket, chances are it will already be in the room when you arrive. 

As important as these tips are, the most important thing is to have a relaxing a fun vacation.   We are SERVPRO of White Plains would like to wish you a very Happy  Safe Summer!!!