The key to protecting yourself and your possessions while traveling is not very different from staying safe at home: be alert to your surroundings and use common sense in evaluating situations that come up. Put this checklist in your luggage for reference while traveling and review it before you leave home.
Safety in Numbers
If you're a woman traveling alone, consider booking the room and checking in as husband and wife. To avoid a double room charge, phone the desk shortly after your arrival to let them know that “Mr.” won't be coming after all.
Study the Fire Exit Plan Posted on the Back of the Door
If nothing is posted, make a note of the exits nearest your room and spend a couple of moments planning a quick exit route, just in case.
Don't Attract Attention
Avoid displaying large amounts of cash, jewelry, or other valuables at the registration desk, hotel restaurant, or lobby.
Keep Your Door Shut
Use your peep hole to find out who's at the door before opening it. Never open the door to anyone claiming to be a hotel service person unless you've called for one. If in doubt, telephone the desk to confirm the identity while the person waits outside the door. A rubber doorjamb-the kind used to keep doors open-also works well to keep doors closed when it's wedged under the inside. Make sure any connecting or sliding glass doors and windows are securely locked.
Don't Hang the “Make Up This Room” Card on Your Door When You Go Out
It's an invitation to burglars looking for easy pickings. Leaving the “Do Not Disturb” sign up and the television on can be a fairly good deterrent. If the maid passes you by, you can always call housekeeping later in the day.
Avoid Regular Patterns of Entering and Leaving Your Room
Vary the times at which you leave and return and occasionally come back to your room after a few minutes, if possible.
Be Alert for Staged Distractions in the Lobby
These may be created to provide an opportunity for a pickpocket or purse/luggage snatcher
Hand Carry Your Precious Items and Vital Documents
Keep your laptop, personal travel documents, and anything else you can't afford to lose under your own control at all times.
Use the Room or Hotel Safe
Don't leave anything valuable behind when you exit the room.
Use the Main Entrance to Your Hotel When Returning After Dark
Avoid dimly lit garages without security patrols. In any type of parking structure, look around for strange or suspicious behavior before you get out of the car.
Purchase an Instant Release Keychain
This way you can keep your house and other keys when you leave your car key with valets or other parking personnel
