One morning about 2 A.M. There was a knock on her hotel room door. The person was a male who claimed to be hotel security. He said that someone from her room had called about a suspicious person and he was there to investigate.



Sharon thought, I never made any phone call. She yells out let me call the front desk to verify that they sent you. She soon heard what sounded like someone running out of the entrance doors to her hallway. Sharon reported the incident and found out that there were similar incidents in other hotels in that area and a woman had been assaulted the night before. Sharon began choosing her hotels very carefully.

Traveling over the highway is a way of life for most Americans. If you are like most of us traveling to some destination is an essential part of your life. We prepare for the trip with painstaking care, but what about our living quarters along the way?

Visiting family in other parts of the country, vacations or business are among the top reasons we travel. With travel comes the inseparable problem of finding adequate and safe lodging. Do not assume that because a Hotel has a famous name it will be totally safe.

Most hotel owners make it their business to provide safe and accommodating rooms. For added safety, the patron must add his/her own brand of awareness to the mix. You should never assume that a hotel has your personal security at the top of there to do list. Taking precautions will give you piece of mind and help ensure you and your family safety.

When you choose a hotel, you should take the time to look at features other than its conveince. Consider the parking lot, surrounding businesses and the area in general. Look for a parking lot that is well lit and secure.

When it comes to choosing a hotel smaller is smarter.

You want the staff to be familiar with you and your guest and beware of those who are just loitering with possible criminal intent. Sometimes perpetrators hang around looking for the best victims. If someone raises suspicion the desk clerk can notify inhouse security.

Choose hotels on well trafficked streets. If possible the street should have patrons most of the time. Therefore, if you do fall into a situation there will be plenty of people that will hear a noise and bring help. Restaurants, late night stores are a good indication that a street is well trafficked.

You can get your best information from hotel employees, but if they work in reservations, their information may not be as reliable for the need to make sales. Restaurant employees may be able to tell you if it is safe to venture out at certain times.

Two enemies of criminals are time and difficulty. If there are undesirables in the area, they will be looking for the easiest victims and the most secluded place. A reception desk near the entrance, and/or the elevators, is more likely to deter nonguest undesirables.

There should be privacy for guests checking in: no one should be able to overhear a name, room number, or other personal information. Room numbers should be written on the key envelope, not mentioned aloud or inscribed on the key this way, anyone finding your key won't have access to your room.