Nobody wants to worry about someone breaking into their hotel room when they’re on vacation. Unfortunately, this happens more often than you might think. This article will list some easy ways to stop burglars from opening your hotel room door. Keep these tips in mind when you’re on your next trip.
Familiarize yourself with the door lock
First, familiarize yourself with the door lock once you arrive at your hotel room. Look at how it works and ensure you understand how to use it properly. Burglars can often break into rooms simply because the guests don’t know how to lock the door properly. There are different door locks, so make sure you know which one you’re dealing with. Some hotel door locks come with a deadbolt, while others have a chain lock. Others still have a card key system that requires you to insert your key card into a slot to open the door. No matter your type of lock, ensure you know how to use it properly.
If you are a hotel owner, make sure to opt for door locks that are more difficult to pick. Some great options on the market will make it much harder for burglars to break into your rooms. For instance, you can opt for highly innovative biometric door locks. These require guests to use their fingerprint or iris scan to unlock the door. This makes it impossible for burglars to pick the lock, as they would need your biometric information. It might be more expensive to install these locks, but the added security is worth the investment. It may also be inconvenient to capture each guest’s biometric information, but this can be done relatively quickly and easily with the right technology.
Make sure the door is locked correctly
The next step is to ensure that the door is appropriately locked each time you leave the room and arrive. This may seem an obvious tip, but surprisingly, many people forget to do this. Always double-check that the door is locked before you leave the room or as soon as you arrive. Burglars can often break into rooms simply because the guests forget to close the door. If you’re staying in a hotel with a deadbolt, engage it each time you leave the room. If your room has a chain lock, put it in place. And if your hotel uses key cards, take your key card with you when you leave and insert it into the slot to lock the door.
Use the security latch
Most hotel room doors have a security latch that can be used to secure the door further. This small metal plate fits over the door handle and locks into place. To engage the security latch, push it up into place to cover the door handle. This will make it impossible for someone to turn the handle from the outside and open the door. Make sure to use the security latch every time you leave your room, even if you’re just going out for a short period. This way, your room will be secure even if you’re not there.
Engage the deadbolt
Most hotel room doors have a deadbolt in addition to the regular latch. Be sure to engage the deadbolt every time you leave your room. This extra layer of protection can go a long way in deterring burglars. To engage the deadbolt, turn the knob to the vertical position. This will ensure that the bolt is extended into the door frame and cannot be quickly forced open from the outside. Ask a hotel staff member for assistance if you need help with how to engage the deadbolt. They will be able to show you how to lock the door properly.
A doorstop can be an extra layer of security
In addition to ensuring the deadbolt, use a doorstop for added protection. This small device fits over the bottom of the door and prevents it from being opened. Doorstops are relatively inexpensive and can be found at most hardware stores. They’re easy to install and can provide an extra measure of security for your hotel room. You just have to make sure to remove the doorstop when you’re ready to leave so that you can close the door. This way, you can be sure that your room will be properly secured when you’re not there.
Install a security bar
If you’re concerned about someone breaking into your hotel room, you can always install a security bar. This metal or wooden bar fits across the door and prevents it from being opened. Security bars are relatively easy to install. Just make sure to follow the instructions carefully so that you don’t damage the door. Once the security bar is in place, you can be sure that your room will be much more difficult for a burglar to break into.
Use the peephole
Before opening the door for anyone, always use the peephole to check who is on the other side. Many burglars will pose as hotel staff to gain access to rooms. If you need clarification on who is at your door, feel free to call the front desk and ask. Otherwise, do not open the door to strangers. If someone comes knocking on your door, you can always ask them to slide their ID under the door so that you can verify their identity—this simple but effective way to deter burglars and keep your hotel room safe. Or, when booking your hotel room, be sure to request a room near the elevator. This may seem like a strange request, but it can be pretty helpful. Burglars often target rooms far from the elevator because they are less likely to be heard. If your room is near the elevator, you can be sure that any noise will be quickly noticed and investigated.
These are just a few ways to stop burglars from opening your hotel room door. By taking these simple steps, you can help to ensure the safety of your belongings and your family. So, keep these tips in mind the next time you travel.
