6 quick safety checks to do right away
1. Check door locks and deadbolts (and use them consistently)
Before unpacking your suitcase, check the main door of your room. Pay attention to the deadbolt, latch, and peephole. If any of these are damaged or tampered with, request that the front office staff switch you to another room.
2. Locate emergency exits and review the escape plan on the door
Another smart thing travelers can do after entering the hotel room is to locate emergency exits. Often, an evacuation map is attached to the back of the door. Take a few seconds to read it.
Keep in mind the shortest path to the staircase. Also count the doors between your room and the exit. This will help you navigate easily, even if smoke or darkness limits visibility, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.
3. Inspect windows, balcony doors, and connecting doors
Remember, hotel safety checks are not only about the main door. You also need to test windows, balcony doors, and connecting doors. Make sure the windows close and lock securely. They should shut and lock firmly without wobbling.
Check to make sure the balcony's doors slide and latch properly. Also, if your room has a connecting door, make sure it's locked firmly from your side. These steps may sound minor, but they're important hotel room security tips that guests should follow.
4. Test the phone and confirm the front desk contact info
In the era of cell phones, it’s easy to overlook hotel room phones. But testing it can add an extra layer of comfort and safety. Don’t simply believe that a landline phone is working — pick it up and see if there's a dial tone.
Try connecting to the front desk by dialing the number given in the room information guide. If you’re not able to connect, ask the hotel staff for help. You can also save the hotel’s emergency number on your cell phone.
5. Look for signs of tampering or anything out of place
Take a quick scan of your room before getting comfortable. It takes just 30 seconds. You don’t need to scour every nook and cranny — just notice anything that feels unusual:
- Damaged or loose locks
- Smoke detectors that appear impaired
- Items left behind from previous guests
Trust your gut. If something feels wrong to you, don’t hesitate to request another room.
6. Store valuables securely (room safe, hidden spots, or front desk options)
To reduce the chance of opportunistic theft, secure your valuables the moment you enter the room. This step is very crucial, especially if you brought expensive jewelry, electronics, or useful documents.
You can stash your valuables in these spots if they’re available:
- Safes provided by the hotel
- Front desk storage for added security
Don’t forget to double-check that your items are stored securely before stepping out.
Consider some high-tech security tools
If you want security that you control (and that you can watch while you're away from the room) consider these smart devices:
- A smart luggage lock that works with an app can give you remote tracking and tamper alerts.
- A bluetooth tracker like an AirTag or Tile helps you keep tabs on valuables, see where they are, and find them if they go missing.
- A portable travel safe with a bluetooth or biometric lock is more difficult for a thief to breach and will send yo an alert if it's tampered with.
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