12 Hotel Safety Hacks For Solo Travelers, As Shared By This Flight Attendant
You know what they say, “traveling is food for the soul,” so most would probably agree that it’s an incredibly crucial part of our existence; you get to escape the repetitive, at times, dull lifestyle and experience something totally new.
Visiting places is not only about taking pictures and strolling around – it nourishes your life with new ideas and educates you about the people of our world. It allows you to break out of your comfort zone and take on new experiences you’ll gladly reminisce about later in life.
However, before tackling your new adventure, whether you’re going somewhere far or having a nearby town weekend getaway – it’s essential to remember a couple of safety tricks that’ll guarantee you a peaceful stay.
More info: TikTok
Personal security is one of the most crucial aspects of travelling abroad
Image credits: cici_inthesky
“Top hotel security tips from a flight attendant” – Cari Curri, a TikToker with nearly 30K followers, took it to the video hosting platform to share some hotel safety tips for fellow travelers. The woman made a two-part series; both went viral and received heaps of thankful comments.
Flight attendant shares 12 hotel security tricks in a viral two-parter
Image credits: cici_inthesky
Now, the accommodation that you choose for your travels will either make or break your entire trip; it’s important to choose a place that’ll offer you comfortable and satisfactory conditions where you’ll be able to rest after your long day of exploring.
A hotel room is usually among one of the most convenient options as, more often than not, it’s supplied with all the necessities that’ll make your getaway complete.
And although most hotels have taken numerous steps to ensure that the visitors have a safe stay, it doesn’t hurt to keep a couple of things in mind.
Always check your closet
Image credits: cici_inthesky
Put a piece of furniture in front of the adjoining door
Image credits: cici_inthesky
Don’t forget to secure your main door
Image credits: cici_inthesky
You can never be too safe, and while there is a lot of good that comes with international and local travel – being in a foreign place can make you an easy target for crime.
It’s understandable that safety is probably the last thing that’s bound to cloud your mind, especially if you’ve just arrived at your long-awaited vacation – however, it’s incredibly vital to stay alert.
When you’re staying in a familiar place, perhaps traveling within your country, you know what to do in case of emergency, but when you catch yourself in trouble in an unfamiliar land, things might not work the same, so taking a couple of minutes to ensure your personal safety is truly in your best interest.
Put your suitcase in front of the door to avoid people messing with your security lock
Image credits: cici_inthesky
Keep the TV on with the volume up to let the people know that there’s someone in the room
Image credits: cici_inthesky
Make sure your phone works
Image credits: cici_inthesky
However, worry no more, as Cari has assembled a little list to help you stay protected in your hotel room.
The travel influencer suggested checking any adjoining rooms and making sure that they’re locked; she then recommended checking the closet and putting a piece of furniture in front of the adjoining door to make sure that no intruder enters.
Another tip is to secure your main door. The woman says that though it might seem like common knowledge, she entered a bunch of rooms that were already occupied because the privacy wasn’t on.
Cover your door’s peephole
Image credits: cici_inthesky
Don’t forget about your privacy sign
Image credits: cici_inthesky
Secure your lock with a washcloth
Image credits: cici_inthesky
The woman then suggested putting your suitcase in front of the door, so that no one will be able to open the security lock with a wire; keeping the TV on with the volume up and checking whether your phone works were also among the safety tips.
She also urges travelers to cover the peephole on their door if the cover is absent and to always put up a privacy sign outside.
More suggestions on how to keep yourself safe in a hotel room
Image credits: cici_inthesky
Image credits: cici_inthesky
You can watch the video here:
@cici_inthesky What are your best tips? #travelsecurity #travelsafetytips #flightattendantlife #flightattendants #solotravelwoman #womentraveling ♬ original sound – CICi
TikToker clarified why one of her tips suggested putting the suitcase in front of the door
TikTok users shared their own tips concerning hotel safety
1.6Mviews
Share on FacebookWhat kind of Mad Max Hotels are she staying at? Are there any evidence or studies made to back up this extreme measures. Only tip really god was about the fire exits, that is always on the list. But barricade oneself apart from simply lock the door seems extreme. Havent seen any evidence hotel attacks are common enough to warrant it. Wearing a helmet everytime you walk outside in trafficed streets prob do more for your total safety statistics.
Exactly what I was thinking. Hollyfriggen paranoia. I travel monthly with my job and I have never had any of this cross my mind, think I'd give up travelling if I was this worried about this kind of thing. I mean we live somewhere where we leave our windows wide open at night for fresh air without a thought of a break in. This just seems nuts to me.
Load More Replies...What the flock! Some of the above points are incredibly bad advice. What this person has mainly prevented is them being able to exit quickly, or firefighters being able to conduct a rescue if they become trapped by a fire. DO NOT put a bag behind your door or furniture in front of interconnecting doors. DO NOT put a wash cloth in the door lock. DO NOT obstruct the peep hole, they are unidirectional, just check it has been installed the right way around. NEVER EVER obstruct or mess around with a fire door or fire exit. (I will now take off my work hat and go back to looking at cat memes.)
Maybe it depends where you're staying if you need to be this cautious?
Load More Replies...I used to work in the hotel business at two different hotels in Sweden for 20 years, we never had a female guest being attacked in any way. I guess it very much depends on your destination.
Please don't encourage people to crank their TV. Some non-murderers need to sleep
I personally don’t like living my entire life in fear, but I guess some like to take extra steps to stay safe. /gen :))
I don't live my life in fear, I just use common sense and am aware of my surroundings. Better safe than sorry.
Load More Replies...And finally, look for the word "paranoid" in the dictionary.
After reading all the helpful tips above, I think i'm better off and much safer not leaving my house :D
NEVER put out the privacy sign ever. You're advertising that your room is occupied, and defeats the purpose of both your privacy and safety. The hotel staff and custodians already know which rooms are occupied. A stranger notices the sign and can take a photo of your door if they have any intentions of breaking in later. Those signs are no longer useful. If you don't want to be walked in on or want housekeeping, use the phone and call direct. Also, if your leaving the room, leave the standard Welcome to the Hotel channel on blast. It's better to have people think there's no one there versus occupied.
I rather err on the side of caution when I travel. I was staying at a really nice hotel in Chicago when I got a knock at the door for a maintenance check. I was about to mindlessly open the door when my colleague stops me cold, calls front desk and asks if there's any maintenance work on our floor. There wasn't anything of the sort. Hotels don't want to be held liable so they didn't admit that this type of opportunistic crimes can happen in a hotel, but they made it clear that if there any maintenance, we would be notified and a hotel staff attendant would be present. But seriously, if you read the fine print of any hotel agreement, it's written to protect the interests of the hotel and staff in the event a crime happens on-site, but little to protect you.
Load More Replies...One in particular is very, very good. And very, very funny.
Load More Replies...Also, bring a gun, and spend the night clutching it in your hands while all the while looking at the door. Kidding, of course. What the hell kind of story is this?!
Fire exit understanding is a must. Thereafter, everything else seems a bit extreme. Putting a bag or chair by the door is pretty solid advice, but there's usually at least two locks on the door. If the hotel is that sketchy, getting to your room from the lobby might be your biggest concern.
there are obviously a lot of people commenting here, who have never had security incidents in hotels, because its obvious most have no clue what they are talking about, and thats from experience...I would add for families too, to never let your kids go to the pool (or anywhere else) by themselves either, escort them and stay with them
good points. My daughter and I were robbed in our hotel room in Florida. I had a 9mm gun to my head and my 13 year old daughter was on the bathroom floor with a knife at her throat. I became very safety conscious very quickly, and will refuse a room that isn't satisfactory. My hotel room cannot be near an elevator or too near an exit (a fast getaway for criminals, which is what happened) and I have always since then barricaded the door with a chair or something. I also check windows and sliding doors. It was staff that robbed us so it was easy for them to have keys to access our room, and they could be there when you get back to your room, because you can't barricade the room when you leave. This wasn't a high end hotel (like Hilton or something) but it wasn't a dubious one in a bad area, either.
So here's my "Pro" Tip: most hotel beds use a solid box frame instead of the metal bracket frames common on household beds (to prevent dust bunnies and guests losing stuff under the bed). But if you lift up the mattress and pry out one of the brackets, you can crawl inside and pull the mattress back on top of yourself so you can spend the night in cozy, paranoid security. (The bad news is that this is also a great place to stash your body after you are gruesomely murdered by one of the brutal killers apparently roaming the halls of every hotel the OP frequents. I saw that on an episode of CSI:Miami.)
Why do I nee to check the closet for, on the pic. Is a Rock and no closet!
I suppose in her world, criminals hide in random hotel room closets in hope an unsuspecting flight attendant being assigned the room soon. I don't know, to me it feels like if you have to worry about these things in a hotel, you should not be staying in a hotel, you should be staying in a guarded compound.
Load More Replies...What kind of Mad Max Hotels are she staying at? Are there any evidence or studies made to back up this extreme measures. Only tip really god was about the fire exits, that is always on the list. But barricade oneself apart from simply lock the door seems extreme. Havent seen any evidence hotel attacks are common enough to warrant it. Wearing a helmet everytime you walk outside in trafficed streets prob do more for your total safety statistics.
Exactly what I was thinking. Hollyfriggen paranoia. I travel monthly with my job and I have never had any of this cross my mind, think I'd give up travelling if I was this worried about this kind of thing. I mean we live somewhere where we leave our windows wide open at night for fresh air without a thought of a break in. This just seems nuts to me.
Load More Replies...What the flock! Some of the above points are incredibly bad advice. What this person has mainly prevented is them being able to exit quickly, or firefighters being able to conduct a rescue if they become trapped by a fire. DO NOT put a bag behind your door or furniture in front of interconnecting doors. DO NOT put a wash cloth in the door lock. DO NOT obstruct the peep hole, they are unidirectional, just check it has been installed the right way around. NEVER EVER obstruct or mess around with a fire door or fire exit. (I will now take off my work hat and go back to looking at cat memes.)
Maybe it depends where you're staying if you need to be this cautious?
Load More Replies...I used to work in the hotel business at two different hotels in Sweden for 20 years, we never had a female guest being attacked in any way. I guess it very much depends on your destination.
Please don't encourage people to crank their TV. Some non-murderers need to sleep
I personally don’t like living my entire life in fear, but I guess some like to take extra steps to stay safe. /gen :))
I don't live my life in fear, I just use common sense and am aware of my surroundings. Better safe than sorry.
Load More Replies...And finally, look for the word "paranoid" in the dictionary.
After reading all the helpful tips above, I think i'm better off and much safer not leaving my house :D
NEVER put out the privacy sign ever. You're advertising that your room is occupied, and defeats the purpose of both your privacy and safety. The hotel staff and custodians already know which rooms are occupied. A stranger notices the sign and can take a photo of your door if they have any intentions of breaking in later. Those signs are no longer useful. If you don't want to be walked in on or want housekeeping, use the phone and call direct. Also, if your leaving the room, leave the standard Welcome to the Hotel channel on blast. It's better to have people think there's no one there versus occupied.
I rather err on the side of caution when I travel. I was staying at a really nice hotel in Chicago when I got a knock at the door for a maintenance check. I was about to mindlessly open the door when my colleague stops me cold, calls front desk and asks if there's any maintenance work on our floor. There wasn't anything of the sort. Hotels don't want to be held liable so they didn't admit that this type of opportunistic crimes can happen in a hotel, but they made it clear that if there any maintenance, we would be notified and a hotel staff attendant would be present. But seriously, if you read the fine print of any hotel agreement, it's written to protect the interests of the hotel and staff in the event a crime happens on-site, but little to protect you.
Load More Replies...One in particular is very, very good. And very, very funny.
Load More Replies...Also, bring a gun, and spend the night clutching it in your hands while all the while looking at the door. Kidding, of course. What the hell kind of story is this?!
Fire exit understanding is a must. Thereafter, everything else seems a bit extreme. Putting a bag or chair by the door is pretty solid advice, but there's usually at least two locks on the door. If the hotel is that sketchy, getting to your room from the lobby might be your biggest concern.
there are obviously a lot of people commenting here, who have never had security incidents in hotels, because its obvious most have no clue what they are talking about, and thats from experience...I would add for families too, to never let your kids go to the pool (or anywhere else) by themselves either, escort them and stay with them
good points. My daughter and I were robbed in our hotel room in Florida. I had a 9mm gun to my head and my 13 year old daughter was on the bathroom floor with a knife at her throat. I became very safety conscious very quickly, and will refuse a room that isn't satisfactory. My hotel room cannot be near an elevator or too near an exit (a fast getaway for criminals, which is what happened) and I have always since then barricaded the door with a chair or something. I also check windows and sliding doors. It was staff that robbed us so it was easy for them to have keys to access our room, and they could be there when you get back to your room, because you can't barricade the room when you leave. This wasn't a high end hotel (like Hilton or something) but it wasn't a dubious one in a bad area, either.
So here's my "Pro" Tip: most hotel beds use a solid box frame instead of the metal bracket frames common on household beds (to prevent dust bunnies and guests losing stuff under the bed). But if you lift up the mattress and pry out one of the brackets, you can crawl inside and pull the mattress back on top of yourself so you can spend the night in cozy, paranoid security. (The bad news is that this is also a great place to stash your body after you are gruesomely murdered by one of the brutal killers apparently roaming the halls of every hotel the OP frequents. I saw that on an episode of CSI:Miami.)
Why do I nee to check the closet for, on the pic. Is a Rock and no closet!
I suppose in her world, criminals hide in random hotel room closets in hope an unsuspecting flight attendant being assigned the room soon. I don't know, to me it feels like if you have to worry about these things in a hotel, you should not be staying in a hotel, you should be staying in a guarded compound.
Load More Replies...
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