including your pet in family vacations

If your family will be staying in a hotel during your vacation this summer, then it is important that you know how to keep everyone safe and secure while you are there. Since losing valuables or becoming the victim of a crime will completely ruin a vacation, you can proactively take steps to avoid these things happening to your family by following these tips:

Tip: Choose a Hotel Room with Limited Ground-Level Access

If you have a choice between staying at a hotel with only one level or one that is many stories tall, you should always choose the multi-story option. When you make your reservations or check in, always ask to stay in a room located on an upper floor. This prevents criminals from having easy access to your hotel room through a ground-level door or window. Since most crimes are those of convenience, staying on an upper floor greatly reduces your chance of becoming a crime victim. 

Tip: Stay Aware of Your Surroundings While Checking In

When your family is checking into the hotel, make sure that you stay aware of your surroundings at all times. Busy hotel lobbies are ripe for luggage thieves, and people standing too close may be listening to find out what room you are staying in. While you may not care who knows what hotel room you are staying in, this can be a serious issue if you are traveling with children or valuables. There is no reason that anyone other than the hotel staff knows what room you will be staying in and you should guard this information as much as you do the physical key to your room.

Tip: Always Use Deadbolt Locks on Doors and Locks on Windows

When you go into your hotel room, you should walk around just to make sure there is no one else in the room. As you do so, take the time to check the locks on doors to adjoining rooms and on each of the room's windows. If you find any unlocked, then make sure you lock them and check to make sure they properly work.

Finally, you should always use the deadbolt lock on your hotel room's door while your family is in the room. The deadbolt prevents hotel staff and someone with a cloned key to your room from being able to enter. If someone knocks on the door, use the peephole before opening the door. 

When you're looking for places to stay in the area where you're traveling, consider these tips.