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Stay particularly alert
upon arrival and departure. Most travelers are cautious on the
road, but let their guard down as soon as they walk into a hotel
lobby. Criminals target arriving and departing guests who generally
have cash and valuables with them. Departing guests are also a
prime target because, in their haste to catch a plane, they're
unlikely to take the time to fill out reports and debrief hotel
management staff.
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Always call to verify
the identity of anyone knocking at your door. Most rapes occur
in hotels because guests don't double check. One common scam is
to pick up the breakfast request menus hanging outside guest room
doors. The criminal then knocks at the door at the time the guest
requested breakfast.
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Front desk staff should
write down guest room numbers, not call out the room number or
the guest's name. Watch out for other situations where hotel staff
could reveal this same information. For example, some cash registers
at hotel bars and restaurants have a small screen that displays
guest names and room numbers when they bill items to their room.
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Ask a bellman or hotel
staffer to stay in the room when you first reach it to make sure
it is empty. (Check closets, bathrooms, etc. Lock the doors immediately
after the staff member leaves.)
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Upon initial entry,
also check door and window locks, in-room safe locks, doors connecting
to adjacent guest rooms and sliding glass door locks to make sure
they work. If they don't, report it to the front desk immediately
and ask to be moved to another room.
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Make a mental note
of stairwells and fire exits. Walk to the fire escape to familiarize
yourself with the emergency escape route and to make sure the
door works.
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Don't leave valuables
in your room. Chances are, a seasoned burglar will find any hiding
place you create. Store jewelry, cash and important documents
in in-room safes or safety deposit boxes at the front desk.
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Watch out for criminals
in parking lots. Even if a hotel seems safe, it may border a deserted
or questionable neighborhood. Request an escort or use valet parking
if you feel unsafe. Also, ask yourself: is the parking lot fenced
in and well lit? Would heavy foliage make it easy for someone
to hide near the cars? How limited is access to the property?
What is the area near the property like? Keep the same issues
in mind for suburban properties.
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Check location and
supervision of health clubs before using them. If they are remote
and unattended, they could pose a crime problem as well as a danger
in case of personal injury.
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Look into elevators
carefully before you enter. If anyone looks suspicious, don't
take a chance.
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Don't be afraid to
ask for another room if you feel you may have been put in one
that is unsafe (i.e. at the end of a hall or on a ground level).
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Don't reveal your room
number or travel plans in a crowded area where you could be overheard.