10 Tips for a Safe Stay in a Hotel with Family
It is important to take precautions to stay safe in a hotel. While hotels are generally safe, accidents and emergencies can happen. So, it’s important to be aware of potential risks and, most definitely, you got to be aware of your surroundings all the time to prevent any injury or harm.
With the tips we have here, ensure a comfortable, safe and stress-free stay at your destination.
1. Choose your Hotel Wisely
Prioritize the security aspect before finalising your hotel. Check out the physical location. You may want to go for one that’s in a busy and well-lit thoroughfare. If you are unsure about the area, you can use Google Street View to survey the surroundings before making a booking.
Additionally, look for online reviews and check the hotel’s website for information about their security measures.
2. Avoid Rooms on the Ground Floor
Request a room that is not on the ground floor, as it can be more vulnerable to break-ins. According to safety experts, a recommended range is between the third and sixth floors, as these rooms are high enough to deter break-ins, yet still within reach of fire engine ladders in case of an emergency.
3. Be Careful with your Bank Cards
To avoid card theft, do not place your credit card on the check-in counter where a thief could potentially capture its numbers using a camera. Additionally, it is important to check that the credit card returned to you after the transaction is indeed yours, and not someone else’s or a fraudulent card.
4. Inspect your Room Well
If a valet or porter accompanies you to your room, keep the door open and inspect the room thoroughly before they leave. Check out the closet, shower, and behind the curtains before closing the door to minimize the risk of any potential threats or danger.
5. Keep Room Door Locked
Always keep the deadbolt and security chain locked when you’re inside the room. A measure that’s basic, yet, of paramount importance!
6. Lock Balcony Doors
If you have children with you, you may want to consider locking balcony doors. Balcony safety regulations vary from country to country. So, the spaces between metal slats can be wide enough for small children to fall through.
Scrutinize ground-level rooms too if they are near beaches, pools, or other areas where you don’t want children to roam. Children, in any case, must be supervised by adult/s at all times.
7. Report the Loss of Room Key/Entry Card
If ever you misplace your key or room entry card, report it to the staff immediately and ask to be moved to another room. You cannot assume that you simply lost it. In the worst-case scenario, if it was stolen by someone with malicious intent, you’d be playing safe.
8. Lock your Valuables in the Room Safe
If you plan to leave your laptop or other electronic items behind while leaving the hotel room, lock them in the room safe. Opt for modern hotels that offer safes with customizable combinations, rather than ones that require a key. And, don’t leave your passport behind.
9. With Kids, Have a Plan to Avoid Separation
Discuss hotel safety with your children. Teach them how to locate hotel employees for assistance, familiarise them with employee uniforms and name tags so they can easily identify them and seek help. Instruct them to never leave the hotel or go with a stranger.
A brightly-colored wristband displaying a child’s emergency contact information can be a valuable resource in case of separation. Prior to traveling, younger kids can be made to memorise phone numbers by singing them into a tune they could remember.
10. Review the Hotel’s Evacuation Plan
Take the time to review the hotel’s evacuation plan. Every hotel room typically has an emergency plan and diagram displaying the location of exits and staircases. Familiarize yourself with the emergency procedures, including identifying the nearest exits and understanding what actions to take in case of an emergency.
Be mentally prepared in case of an emergency – you will be able to remain calm and reach safety quickly.
In the event of a fire or other emergency where there is smoke, it’s important to stay low and crawl under the smoke towards the exits.