Guest Author - Sacha Michelle Pilgrim

Hotel crimes are a valid concern for women business travellers, especially when travelling alone. When you aren’t in a business meeting or exploring the city, you are relaxing in your hotel room. Although your hotel room may not feel as safe as your home there are ways to maximize your safety.

Choosing the Hotel

1. Stay at a small hotel. If there are only a few guests staying at a hotel, the staff are more likely to recognized guests and notice suspicious behaviour.

2. Stay with a well know hotel chain. Established hotels are likely to have well trained security working around the clock.

3. Choose a hotel in the city center. Criminals are less likely to commit a crime in a area where there is a lot of traffic and they risk being seen.

4. Is the parking lot well lit? Many attacks occur at night when women are walking to or from their car in a dark secluded area. Consider getting an escort to and from your car.

Choosing an Hotel Room

1. Ask for a room which is far from stairways and emergency exits. Staying in a room that is close to a stairway puts you at a greater risk because a criminal sees it as a quick escape route.

2. Avoid rooms on the bottom floor which have windows or doors opening to the outside.

3. Choose a room close to the elevator. It may be a noisier location but you can quickly get to your from after leaving the elevator.

4. Don’t stay in a room that has an adjoining room.

5. Ensure your room has an additional locking device and a peep hole. You can also bring a door stop with you for additional protection.

Once in your Room

1. When you first enter the hotel room, prop the door open with your luggage and search all closets and spaces to ensure nobody is hiding. Once the check is complete, lock the door behind you. If you feel unease doing this you can always ask at reception for an escort to come and check your room with you.

2. Make sure your door lock is working properly.
3. Get to know the escape plan and where the fire exits are located. Take a look at the hotels fire procedures and know what to do in an emergency.

4. Ensure your room is fitted with a water sprinkler system and fire alarm.

5. If your room has a kitchen, be sure to located the fire extinguisher.

6. Leave the ‘Do not disturb’ sign on your door when you go out. If you want your room cleaned, call house keeping and tell them they can enter your room but to leave the sign on the door. This sign will ward off potential robbers.

7. Always use the peep hole before opening the door. If you don’t have a peep hole, never open the door unless you know who is knocking or you ordered something.

8. Check all windows and outside doors to make sure they close properly.

9. Always lock your door and use the deadbolt when you are inside.

10. Place a flashlight next to your bed. If there is a fire or another emergency, a flashlight will come in handy.

Keeping your Belongings Safe

1. Place your valuables in the hotel safe at the front desk.

2. Don’t leave your credit cards and cash out in the open. Hide them in your clothes pockets or other places that won’t be searched when in a hurry.