Cooperative Living July 2016 - 24

SafetySense
Remember safe practices when
staying in hotels and motels
I
f you're hitting the road this summer,
you might be spending one or more
nights in a hotel or motel. Given that
you'll likely be in unfamiliar
surroundings, consider taking these
safety precautions:
* ADVANCE RESERVATIONS:
If you can plan your travel route, you'll
have time to research safer places of
lodging in the area you will be visiting.
* PICKING A HOTEL/MOTEL:
If your travel plans don't allow you to
make advance reservations, you can
call the local visitors bureau or law
enforcement office for their
recommendations based on your
safety concerns.
* BEFORE YOU STOP FOR
THE NIGHT:
If you are planning to keep any highvalue
items such as electronics or
jewelry in your car, transfer these to
your trunk BEFORE you arrive at your
lodging stop. Don't wait until you're at
the hotel to do this in the parking lot
where someone might see what you are
storing in the trunk.
* CHECKING THE OUTSIDE:
Observe if the parking area is well lit,
as well as room entrances if these open
directly onto the parking lot. Notice if
the outside is well kept and what the
surrounding neighborhood is like, as
well as whether the lobby is attached
to the main hotel or you will need to
come back outside to go to the lobby.
* CHECKING IN:
Find out if the lobby is staffed 24 hours
and if a hotel safe is available, if
needed. When requesting a room,
study the floor plan of the building
layout and ask for a room near the
lobby. Since ground-floor rooms are
more easily entered by intruders, ask
for a room on an upper floor if
possible.
22 | Cooperative Living | July 2016
Smart
Safety
Tips
* WHEN YOU GET TO
YOUR ROOM:
Do not accept a room that doesn't
have an auxiliary locking device on
all doors. Make sure the room has a
working smoke detector, phone and
heating and air-conditioning system.
If the room does not meet your
standards, call the front desk to alert
staff and request another room.
* IF CHILDREN ARE TRAVELING
WITH YOU:
Don't allow minors to roam the hotel
area without being accompanied
by an adult. If they are in an
adjoining room, keep the connecting
door open. Set rules for your stay,
such as not answering a knock on
their door unless the person
identifies himself or herself as
someone the child knows, and
review the escape route they should
use in case of a fire.
* GOING TO AND FROM
YOUR CAR:
Have your car key in your hand
when going to your car and the
room key/card in your hand when
returning to the room from your car.
Check the route of travel to reach
your car and consider asking the
front desk for an escort if limited
parking space means your car is
parked at a distance from your room
and you're concerned about the
time of day or night.
* USING HOTEL FACILITIES:
Keep extra cash, credit cards and
valuables in your room safe or the
hotel safe if not taking these with you.
Don't use the pool, exercise room or
other facilities late at night if alone,
and try to store your room key in a
locker or leave at the front desk. 
Source: www.independenttraveler.com
www.co-opliving.com
http://www.independenttraveler.com http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living July 2016

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