In the Hotel:
- Accompany your luggage up to your room with the bellman if possible
- Upon initial entry, 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 them to the front desk immediately and ask to be moved to another room if the repair isn’t immediate.
- Put valuable items such as jewelry and cameras in the in-room safe
- Avoid clues that your room is empty. Don’t leave a “Please Make up this Room” sign on the door indicating that you are not around. Call housekeeping or the front desk to request that the room be made up if housekeeping is late.
- Do not leave purse or other valuables unattended in meeting rooms
- Always verify the identity of anyone knocking at your door before admitting them. Call the front desk to verify deliveries or maintenance that you did not request.
When Out & About:
- Do not wear your badge outside the hotel – it identifies you as an out-of-towner
- Do not wander around looking lost – get directions before leaving the hotel or restaurant
- Take clearly marked taxis or shuttle services
- Walk with another person whenever possible
- Do not leave valuables unattended at the pool or beach
Continually:
- Travel with only the credit and ID cards you are likely to use
- Keep wallets in an inside jacket pocket and small bills in pants or skirt pockets so you don’t have to take your purse or wallet out more than necessary
- Carry your purse close to your body; shoulder bags should never be slung loosely over one’s shoulder. Also, make sure you have a purse that closes completely, preferably with a zipper.
- If anything happens, be as vocal as possible. Document as many details as you can. Get and write down names, titles, dates and times you spoke with members of the hotel staff or other “security” persons, as well as what each person said. Contact the police. Remain calm but be assertive in stating your needs.