Vacationers are often so elated (and/or exhausted) to have arrived at their destination hotel that they let their guard down. The exact opposite is required however for any place you visit, whether within the U.S.A. or abroad. Just because you left your home city behind doesn’t mean thieves stayed home too.

Many safety experts suggest staying on the ground level of a hotel in case there is a fire. Great advice except for one thing – there are far more thieves out there than arsonists. Staying on the ground level (or first floor) gives you easier access to the outside but it also does the same for the criminally intent. My advice is to stay on floors 2 or 3. That’s close enough to get out in case of a fire but hotel thieves will be less likely to venture onto floors where taking an elevator is required or exits are at opposite ends. Too much chance other guests will see them.

Do not use the doorknob card that says “Please Make Up Room” or whatever terminology is used. This is a great invitation to thieves to know who is not in a room. They’ll simply track down a maid and ask if they have attended to “Room XXX”. When told no, they will say they left the key inside and the maid will probably let them in.

Last safety tip: ALWAYS check the smoke detector in the room. Not only to see if one is present but also that it is working. Especially when you are staying in a cheap hotel or motel. Sometimes they do not replace worn out batteries, either purposely or inadvertently. Get on a chair and press the test button and make sure the alarm beeps. If it doesn’t, go to the desk. If they can’t produce a battery, I would question your choice of lodging.