A Flight Attendant Shares The Hotel Safety Tips You Need To Know
By AMANDA MORGAN
Diomadis Briceno has worked as a professional flight attendant for over a decade, and in an exclusive interview with Explore, she shared some expert advice for hotel safety.
Briceno says it's best to get a room not on the ground floor, as "doing so helps [in] eliminating entry points for unwanted guests." Also, stay away from external exits.
Location
Before you even enter your room, make a note of your nearest emergency exit. In the room, check for cleanliness and strange, out-of-place items like red lights or wires.
Examine
Briceno advises, "Put the latch so the door doesn't close while you inspect your room for tampering, suspicious items, and, frankly, if anyone is in there."
When you arrive at your hotel, let someone know and update them when you're coming and going. Briceno also advises you to share your GPS location with a loved one.
Update Family
Also, keep your travel companions in the loop, and remove your room keys from the little sleeve with the room number written on it so no one can find out where you're staying.
Hotels offer many ways to keep you and your belongings safe. Make sure the hotel room telephone works, and keep things locked up when you're away from your room.
Secure Belongings
Briceno also likes to get to know the hotel employees as an added safety measure. "You want them to remember you if you were to need help or get great recommendations," she says.
Crime can happen anywhere, but it's a good idea to take extra precautions if you're traveling outside your country of residence, according to Briceno.
Traveling Abroad
Try using the STEP program, which is free to U.S. citizens and ensures your trip is on record with the United States Embassy. They can help protect you should an emergency arise.