While traveling, tourists want to relax and unwind, but stolen money, passports or luggage can overshadow any vacation and cause a lot of problems. Security experts shared with the Express edition effective methods for keeping your belongings safe and measures against theft in a hotel room.
Michelle Bennett, security expert and CEO of ADT UK&I Subscriber, has put together a list of tips for travelers who want to protect their personal documents and valuables while on holiday abroad. She also listed the best places to hide things in a hotel room. Michel recommends that you adhere to the following rules.
- Never say out loud which room you are staying in. The administrator at check-in can also be asked to write the room number on a piece of paper. “This is so that guests nearby do not know which room you are staying in,” the security expert explained.
- Lock the doors. Most hotels have a key lock and latch on the door. The expert advises to always use both, so that no one can enter the room using a copy of the key.
- Do not leave signs for staff on the door. The sign “Please clean the room” is literally an invitation for thieves, notifying them that no one is in the room. Instead, tourists are advised to inform the hotel reception that the room needs to be cleaned. An added security measure is to stay in the room while it is being cleaned.
- Always keep your money, passports, and ID cards with you. For these purposes, the tourist should have a small body bag. “We do not recommend carrying large amounts of cash with you, as using a bank card and withdrawing small amounts is much safer,” the expert advises.
- Purchase a portable safe. “While most hotels have in-room safes, they often have a master code or back door, which means hotel staff can easily access the contents. Having your own safe eliminates this risk,” explains Michelle Bennett.
- Lock your suitcases. A secure lock will not only prevent airport staff and porters from opening your suitcase, but also provide a safe place to store your valuables while on vacation. “Carry the key to the lock with you, and then the hotel staff will not be able to rummage through your luggage,” the expert said.
- Buy Smart Tags. These are small GPS-enabled devices that can be put in a suitcase to track its whereabouts. They are useful both for protection against theft and in case of loss of luggage at the airport.
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