Protect Yourself and Your Belongings in Hotels and Cars

Travel can be an exciting, enjoyable life event. But when you travel, you're away from your familiar safety mechanisms and procedures. Criminals might be on the lookout for anybody that doesn't belong and target you as an easy mark. Follow these simple tips for keeping both you and your belongings safe while you travel, in both cars and hotels.

Steps

In the Car

  1. Practice preventative safety measures. Be aware of your surroundings, and park in a well-lit, well-traveled area whenever possible.
  2. Always lock your doors once you're out of your vehicle.
    • Familiarize yourself with your vehicle's safety features. When you unlock the car, some vehicles with remote-unlock systems will flash the lights a specific number of times to indicate someone tampered with the vehicle while you were away.
  3. Avoid storing valuables in your car. If you have no choice in the matter, leave the valuables out of sight, either in the trunk, tucked under a seat or at least completely covered by something inconspicuous.
    • Tuck the items away before you get to your destination. Otherwise, would-be robbers could watch and take note of where you put your valuables.
  4. Pay attention to your surroundings as you return to your vehicle.
    • Glance beneath the vehicle and in the backseat before you get in.
    • Be aware of potential hiding places for troublemakers near your vehicle, such as thick undergrowth or a van with a sliding door facing toward you.
    • Be alert to any suspicious behavior from others nearby. This includes following you--closely or at a distance--and paying an unusual amount of attention to you. Your intuition often puts together subconscious clues before your mind does, so if you get a gut feeling that something isn't right, act on it.
  5. Have your keys ready as you approach your vehicle. This helps you get in faster in case of emergency, and sharp, pointy keys make good self-defense weapons in a pinch.
    • Your life is worth more than your car or your valuables, so if somebody threatens your welfare to steal your belongings or your car, let them have it.
    • If somebody attacks you with intent to harm you or abduct you, fight back. Kick, scream, bite and make a scene to attract others' attention. If they get you in the car, they could take you away from any possible help.
    • If you have a remote-unlock key fob for your car, it likely has a panic button that sets off the car's lights and horn to attract attention. Familiarize yourself with the panic button's operation so you can use it in case of emergency.

In the Hotel

  1. Familiarize yourself with emergency evacuation procedures in the hotel. Every hotel room has an evacuation map inside the hotel room door; take note of the nearest stairways and exit points, as well as nearby fire alarms and extinguishers.
    • Take note of any designated emergency assembly points located outside the hotel.
  2. Return to the hotel desk and ask for another room if you don't feel comfortable in the one you've been assigned. Possible reasons for this include:
    • Neighbors or anybody else in the hallway that makes you feel uneasy.
    • The room is located in a poorly lit or little-traveled area, or you have to pass through such an area to get to it.
    • The room is on the ground floor and you don't feel the windows are secure against intruders.
    • Locks and doors between adjoining rooms do not feel secure.
    • You don't feel confident in your ability to evacuate the room in case of emergency.
    • A general feeling of unease--trust your intuition.
  3. Keep the door closed and locked when you're inside. Use the deadbolt and safety chain.
    • Never open the door unless you're absolutely sure who's on the other side. If maintenance, delivery or other people knock unexpectedly, call the front desk to ask for verification or assistance.
  4. Store your valuables in the hotel room safe or the main hotel safe. If you store them in the main safe, get a receipt for the stored items.
  5. Leave the television or radio on when you leave, so it sounds like someone is still there.
    • Be aware that putting the "Maid Service Required" sign on your doorknob makes it obvious that the room is vacant.
  6. Ask the front desk not to give out your name or room number if anybody inquires.
    • Sign in with your first initial and last name only; giving your full first name makes it easy for snoopers to identify your gender.

References

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