When it comes to staying in a hotel, safety and security should always be a top priority, especially for solo travelers or women traveling alone. While hotel rooms are generally designed to provide a safe and comfortable environment, it’s still wise to remain cautious and proactive about your well-being. Recently, a flight attendant shared some valuable safety tips on TikTok that have caught the attention of thousands of travelers. These simple yet effective tips can make a significant difference in ensuring a secure stay at any hotel, no matter where you are in the world.
The flight attendant, who goes by the name Cici on TikTok, emphasized that safety is her number one concern whenever she stays in a hotel. She shared her personal checklist of safety precautions, and one tip in particular stood out: using a towel to secure the safety latch on your hotel room door.
Why You Should Use a Towel on the Hotel Room Door Latch
Hotel room safety latches are meant to provide an extra layer of security, preventing unauthorized entry even if someone has a key card. However, these latches are not foolproof, and there have been incidents where they’ve been bypassed. To make the latch more secure, Cici recommends using a small hand towel from the bathroom.
Here’s how it works: Take a small towel and wrap it tightly around the safety latch. Then, close the latch securely with the towel in place. The towel creates additional friction and makes it significantly harder for someone to manipulate or bypass the latch from the outside. This small but effective trick can add an extra layer of security and peace of mind while you sleep or relax in your room.
To ensure you don’t forget this step, Cici suggests keeping an extra towel near the door as a reminder. It’s a simple habit that can go a long way in enhancing your safety.
Other Essential Hotel Room Safety Tips
While the towel hack is incredibly useful, it’s just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to hotel room safety. Cici also shared several other practical tips that travelers should follow every time they check into a hotel.
1. Know Your Exit Route
One of the first things Cici does when she enters her hotel room is to count how many doors there are between her room and the nearest exit stairwell. In the event of a fire or another emergency where visibility is compromised by smoke or darkness, knowing this number can help you find your way to safety without relying on sight alone.
2. Familiarize Yourself with Emergency Maps
Most hotel corridors have evacuation and security maps displayed near elevators or stairwells. Take a moment to study these maps and understand the quickest route to an exit. In a high-pressure situation, having this information memorized can make a life-saving difference.
3. Use the Hotel Safe
If your room has a safe, use it to store valuable items like your passport, credit cards, and electronics. Make sure to set a secure, unique passcode that isn’t easy to guess. While hotel safes aren’t completely impenetrable, they’re much safer than leaving valuables out in the open.
4. Inspect the Room Upon Arrival
Before settling into your room, do a quick inspection. Check under the bed, inside the closet, and behind curtains. Make sure all windows and sliding doors are locked securely. If something feels off or if you notice any signs of tampering, request a room change immediately.
5. Keep the “Do Not Disturb” Sign on the Door
Even when you’re not in your room, leaving the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door can deter potential intruders. It creates the impression that someone is inside, making your room a less appealing target.
6. Avoid Sharing Your Room Number
When checking in, if the hotel staff says your room number out loud, politely ask for a different room. It’s also a good idea to avoid discussing your room number with strangers in public areas.
Why These Tips Matter
Traveling should be an enjoyable experience, but it’s always better to be cautious and prepared. The safety measures shared by Cici are simple, practical, and easy to implement, yet they can have a profound impact on your overall safety and peace of mind.
In a world where unexpected situations can arise, being proactive about your security is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Whether you’re staying at a budget-friendly inn or a five-star resort, these precautions are universally applicable.
Final Thoughts
Safety while staying at a hotel doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Small habits, like using a towel on the safety latch, counting doors to the stairwell, and studying the emergency maps, can make a significant difference. Cici’s advice serves as an important reminder that a little extra caution goes a long way.
So, the next time you check into a hotel, take a few minutes to secure your room and follow these simple steps. Travel smarter, stay safer, and enjoy your trip with peace of mind knowing you’ve taken every precaution to protect yourself.
