Thousands of hotels across the country are gearing up for a busy summer season full of excited travelers:  families on vacations, professionals on business trips, and newlyweds on their honeymoons.  No matter the reason for their trips, hotel visitors are met with abundant conveniences.  From high-speed wireless connections in the rooms to hot continental breakfasts in the lobby, hotel guests start to feel like they are right at home.

Hotel Safety Tips For Travelers

But, despite the cozy accommodations, it’s important for travelers to remember that they are not at home, and hotel safety should be a priority for a relaxing trip.  Before you check into a hotel, check out this list of hotel safety tips:

• Choose a hotel with electronic guest room locks.  The majority of these locks automatically change the lock combination with every new guest, so there is little chance of someone having a duplicate key to your room.
• Keep a close eye on your luggage, purse, and other personal items when checking in. If the lobby is busy, thieves will often take advantage of the distractions to snatch up your things while your back is turned.
• Make sure your hotel room is equipped with a dead bolt lock, a peephole, smoke detectors, and fire sprinklers.  If any of these things is missing or broken, ask to be placed in another room.  Also, make sure there are working locks on windows and adjoining doors.

·         Learn how to use your hotel room phone.  In case of an emergency, you might need to know how to make an outside call, contact the front desk, or call hotel security.

• Leave the television on when you leave your room.  If you leave your hotel room at night, keep at least one light on as well. The noise and light make it appear as if someone is still in the room and will deter potential thieves. 
• Keep your room key in the same place every time.  By making a habit of keeping your key in the same spot each time, you’ll always know where it is if you need to grab it and run out of your room quickly.
• Use the deadbolt and safety chain  at all times.  When you are in your hotel room, use all the locks.  When you step out of your room, never prop your door open.  Anyone could walk in.

Hotel Safety Tools for Travelers

Following these common sense safety tips will lead to a more pleasant hotel stay.  In addition to quick thinking and caution, travelers can arm themselves with several hotel safety tools:

• Caddx Wireless Panic Pendant. Designed to go where you go, this portable panic button can be worn around the neck or clipped to a belt.  Priced around $40, the panic pendant lets you set off an alarm at the touch of a button.
• Mace or pepper spray.  For under $15, these handy, travel-size security objects can add safety to your hotel stay.  Keep them in an easily accessible place so you can use them quickly in an emergency.
• Guard Dog portable door alarm. This portable door guard detects motion and sounds a 120-decibel alarm when your door or door handle moves.  The Guard Dog comes equipped with a steel leg to prevent the door from opening, and a non-skid foot that grips any floor surface.  Travelers can pick one up for under $30.

From tips to tools, travelers can ensure their hotel safety by being prepared.  If you are one of the hundreds of thousands of Americans who will visit a hotel this summer, remember our travel advice for a safe – and fun – hotel stay.