Up Your Security 6 – Hotel and Motel Security
Here’s something most people don’t think enough about – their own security while staying in a hotelor motel. For simplicity’s sake, we’ll
just call it “hotel” security. We tend to think even less about it in hotels than in our homes, and there are reasons for that. Hotels are supposed to be safe – they’re places of business, right? If the hotel isn’t safe enough, they’ll lose business. On top of that, we assume the attitude that our security isn’t our own responsibility anymore. The hotel is supposed to cater to our needs, and that includes the need to be safe and secure in the place where we sleep.
That isn’t always the case, however, and there are several things you should think about when you choose a hotel, and when you’ve arrived. We’ll give you a shortlist of things to do. Ready?
Pre-arrival checks.
Decide where you want to stay in the hotel. Higher floors are less prone to crime, but fire safety is better below the 5th floor.
Does the hotel have a history of crime? What’s their reputation like? Do a quick search online, and read some reviews if there are any (there usually are). If everything looks fine, you can check, using Google maps, for example, if there are rescue services close by. Fire, EMS and police are good things to have in the vicinity.
Call the hotel and ask them if they have their own security staff – this is a major plus. It means that there are security officers there that know every inch of the hotel, every employee and who can identify threats long before they become serious.
When you arrive.
Your hotel room door should be solid core wood or steel – preferrably steel. It should close on its own and lock on its own, but should have a deadbolt as well, just to make sure. Remember that electronic locks are better than conventional ones – the hotel can delete access by old cards or staff cards that aren’t authorised anymore.
Bring a door stop with you. This one will even wake you up if someone comes in while you’re sleeping.
Check your windows if you’re on the first 5 floors or so. They should be lockable, or not possible to open more than a crack anyway. Most hotels have this feature built in to avoid both break-ins and people jumping out of them. If they’re not lockable, ask the hotel for locks or a room with different windows (or higher up).
During your stay.
Here’s a list that probably says it all:
- Always request a room on an upper floor, if possible
- A solid door with a good deadbolt lock is best
- Electronic card access locks help limit access
- Make sure your door has a peephole and night latch and use it
- Turn on the TV or radio just loud enough to hear through the door
- Turn on a single light in the room if you plan to return after dark
- Inspect the room’s hiding places upon entering, and check all locks
- Ask the bellman for an escort and use valet parking if alone
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