Simple Ways to Stop Theft from Your Hotel Room
I recently read a terrible story of someone that was burgled in their hotel room while asleep.
While losing valuables is nasty any time, the worry of someone being in your room adds a sinister twist.
Fortunately, this kind of theft is rare.
It can still pay to take simple precautions in your hotel room to avoid theft. Most crimes of this type are opportunistic, rather than planned. This means that making it somewhat more difficult for a would-be thief is enough to keep you safe.
The hotel room security tips below don’t need expensive equipment. They are designed for anyone that want’s to leave their hotel room with a little extra piece of mind.
#1 – Get a Doorstop Wedge
While nowhere close to fool proof, a humble doorstop is a great deterrent for casual hotel room thefts.
Use it while you are in the room, and getting in without disturbing the occupants will be a lot harder. These wedges work best on tile or wood floors, though will make it harder to open a door on carpets too (especially if they are not deep-pile).
What I like best about this one, those doorstops are light, cheap and easy to carry.
#2 – Hotel Security Stars with the Safe
You’ll find a lot of guides showing that hotel safes are not 100% fool-proof.
Yet against casual theft, this should be your first line of defence. If you are a heavy sleeper, you can even use it at night. When the safe is in your wardrobe or bedside cabinet, you get an even better sense of security. Don’t use a ‘silly’ combination like 1-1-1-1, and make sure that the safe is fully locked each time you exit the room.
For anyone still worried, adding a motion sensor alarm inside the safe adds an extra level of protection.
#3 – Blocking the Door (Risky?)
A common tip that I’m not a fan of is to block the door from the inside when you are in the room – for example with a piece of furniture.
Sure, this will provide peace of mind.
It also creates a fire hazard should you need to exit your room quickly. A compromise here would be something you can move quickly in an emergency that would still make a loud noise if someone entered your room. If your hotel room has a door to a connecting room, make sure you consider that too.
I’m thinking of the ironing board, you?
#4 – Double Check the Door on Exit
Heavy doors which swing shut on their own can provide a false sense of security.
That one time they don’t ‘click’ on exit, you’ll be leaving your room wide open for intruders. This is easy to solve. Make sure you shut the door, then try that handle to make sure it is fully closed before you leave.
The same applies to any openable windows, especially if your hotel room is on the ground or first floors.
#5 – Hotel Room Security: Motion Detector Alarms
These days a small alarm which beeps loudly or squeals when it detects movement will only set you back a few pounds.
While not so useful when you are out, these alarms can be pointed at the hotel room door for extra peace of mind when you are sleeping. Remember to keep it away from the bathroom. If you get up in the night and trigger it, you could be in for a shock!
Some people go the extra mile and get nanny-cams (that record or stream video when activated by movement). I can see the benefit, though do have concerns about the privacy for cleaning staff.
Wrapping Up: Hotel Room Security Tips
How the hotel handles letting people in has a big effect on security. I like to book hotels where the lifts / stairs have a security presence, or where a room key tap is needed for the lift.
The good news is that most hotel room thefts are opportunistic. Simple security measures like a door wedge and using the safe will keep you secure almost always. If you have anything left in your suitcase, a combination lock + strap with second lock will be enough to put off most casual intruders.
For a little extra peace of mind, these extra hotel room security tips are just what you need!
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