January 2006 Newsletter
HOTEL/MOTEL TRAVEL SAFETY
With the New Year in full swing, many of us will be traveling for business and pleasure, staying in hotels and motels. Here are some helpful tips to make your stays safer by becoming a tougher travel target.
When choosing a place to stay, we all look for the best bargain. But, don’t sacrifice your safety to save a few dollars. As you drive into the lot of the hotel/motel, look for the placement of lighting. Is the lot going to be well lit at night? Use valet parking if available, as the lots are usually patrolled and there is less chance of theft or break-in. If you park in the regular lot, remove all valuables from inside the vehicle and place them in the trunk out of sight. Put something over your tape or cd player, and lock your steering column if possible. Be sure to keep your car locked at all times.
Upon entering a hotel lobby, keep all luggage close to you. If your room is not ready to check into, check your luggage at the bell stand until it is ready -- be sure all your bags are locked. Consider renting a safety deposit box for your valuables.
When entering your room for the first time, leave the door open and inspect the room by looking in closets, behind the bathroom door, behind window and shower curtains, under the bed(s) and any places someone might be able to hide. While inspecting your room, remember to leave your door open or ajar for a possible quick exit, and be sure to monitor the open door behind you, so that no one can slip in undetected. Be especially vigilant if you are in a drive-up motel room. (Also, be aware and avoid parking next to side-door access vans if at all possible).
If you have medications, put them in a drawer, covered, not on a sink or dresser top (out of sight, out of mind). It’s a good idea to keep a sheet with all your meds and any “need to know” health problems, conditions, allergies, etc.* If you have taken your valuables into your room (and not put them in a rented deposit box), place them in different suitcases, putting the suitcases on shelves or in the standing closet. Be sure to lock the cases when you are not in the room.
Check the smoke detector upon entering your hotel/motel room. The red light should be flashing if it is working properly; if not, call the front desk for a quick battery change.
Always lock your door behind you every time you leave your room, even if it’s only to run down the hall to get some ice or snacks. When leaving your room, turn the television and lights on and place your “do not disturb” sign on the doorknob. If you leave the room before housekeeping services cleans the room, upon returning repeat the same procedures above as if you have just entered the room for the first time.
Always use the elevator and not the stairways. Stairways are fireproof and soundproof and should be used only in emergency situations. When using elevators, always position yourself near the buttons (never press “STOP” for any reason). Immediately get off of the elevator if a “creepy” person wants to enter and you are alone. Don’t enter an elevator if you are alone and there is a “creepy” person on the elevator by themselves. If you find yourself alone on an elevator with one or more people that make you feel uncomfortable for any reason, press the next couple of floor buttons (always press more than one floor button in the direction that the elevator is going) and exit immediately.
In the case of any emergency where you need to attract attention, always yell “fire” and pound on as many doors as possible.
Enjoy your vacation or business trip and stay safe.
*Or alternatively, carry a medical computer CD in your wallet, vehicle or luggage at all times which contains your medical history, allergies, medications, important phone numbers or special needs should your medications be lost or stolen while you are traveling.
Thanks to Bob Gailor, Security Advisor, Nevada, and Mark Spencer, M.A., for their combined efforts in putting together this hotel/motel safety article for WSEG.
© Copyright 2006 S.A.F.E. All rights reserved.
With the New Year in full swing, many of us will be traveling for business and pleasure, staying in hotels and motels. Here are some helpful tips to make your stays safer by becoming a tougher travel target.
When choosing a place to stay, we all look for the best bargain. But, don’t sacrifice your safety to save a few dollars. As you drive into the lot of the hotel/motel, look for the placement of lighting. Is the lot going to be well lit at night? Use valet parking if available, as the lots are usually patrolled and there is less chance of theft or break-in. If you park in the regular lot, remove all valuables from inside the vehicle and place them in the trunk out of sight. Put something over your tape or cd player, and lock your steering column if possible. Be sure to keep your car locked at all times.
Upon entering a hotel lobby, keep all luggage close to you. If your room is not ready to check into, check your luggage at the bell stand until it is ready -- be sure all your bags are locked. Consider renting a safety deposit box for your valuables.
When entering your room for the first time, leave the door open and inspect the room by looking in closets, behind the bathroom door, behind window and shower curtains, under the bed(s) and any places someone might be able to hide. While inspecting your room, remember to leave your door open or ajar for a possible quick exit, and be sure to monitor the open door behind you, so that no one can slip in undetected. Be especially vigilant if you are in a drive-up motel room. (Also, be aware and avoid parking next to side-door access vans if at all possible).
If you have medications, put them in a drawer, covered, not on a sink or dresser top (out of sight, out of mind). It’s a good idea to keep a sheet with all your meds and any “need to know” health problems, conditions, allergies, etc.* If you have taken your valuables into your room (and not put them in a rented deposit box), place them in different suitcases, putting the suitcases on shelves or in the standing closet. Be sure to lock the cases when you are not in the room.
Check the smoke detector upon entering your hotel/motel room. The red light should be flashing if it is working properly; if not, call the front desk for a quick battery change.
Always lock your door behind you every time you leave your room, even if it’s only to run down the hall to get some ice or snacks. When leaving your room, turn the television and lights on and place your “do not disturb” sign on the doorknob. If you leave the room before housekeeping services cleans the room, upon returning repeat the same procedures above as if you have just entered the room for the first time.
Always use the elevator and not the stairways. Stairways are fireproof and soundproof and should be used only in emergency situations. When using elevators, always position yourself near the buttons (never press “STOP” for any reason). Immediately get off of the elevator if a “creepy” person wants to enter and you are alone. Don’t enter an elevator if you are alone and there is a “creepy” person on the elevator by themselves. If you find yourself alone on an elevator with one or more people that make you feel uncomfortable for any reason, press the next couple of floor buttons (always press more than one floor button in the direction that the elevator is going) and exit immediately.
In the case of any emergency where you need to attract attention, always yell “fire” and pound on as many doors as possible.
Enjoy your vacation or business trip and stay safe.
*Or alternatively, carry a medical computer CD in your wallet, vehicle or luggage at all times which contains your medical history, allergies, medications, important phone numbers or special needs should your medications be lost or stolen while you are traveling.
Thanks to Bob Gailor, Security Advisor, Nevada, and Mark Spencer, M.A., for their combined efforts in putting together this hotel/motel safety article for WSEG.
© Copyright 2006 S.A.F.E. All rights reserved.
