Try
to stay in a hotel that has a small lobby and reception or concierge desk near
the entrance - loiterers will be easy to spot and the staff will be familiar with
all the guests. Choose a hotel on a
busy street. Look for restaurants and retail businesses that are open at night,
not office buildings and private residences. When
you are checking into the hotel, all private information should be written down,
not said aloud. Other hotel guests should not 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. Look
for a parking lot that is well lit with extra security measures (such as needing
a room key to enter). Ask if there's valet parking and the hours it is available.
The safest bet is to use it, even it costs a little bit more. Also, the hotel
should have sufficient staff to walk you to your room late at night. Does
the hotel gym have an attendant? Being alone and dressed in work-out attire in
the basement is not a safe idea. Stand
near the elevator buttons with your back to the wall; if threatened, push all
the buttons at once with your back. Request
a room near the elevators, but far from emergency exits and any renovation work.
Have your key in-hand when you walk out of the elevator. If your room is located
on an upper floor make sure it is away from catwalks and terraces. Your
hotel room door should have a regular door lock, a deadbolt, and a peephole. Pack
your own security doorstop from home for extra protection. The
"please make up this room" sign lets everyone know that you're not there.
Call housekeeping instead. Also avoid hanging a "room service" sign
on your door that lets everyone that you are in the room alone. On the other hand,
the "do not disturb" sign can make the room seem occupied and doesn't
specify how many people are in the room. If
your purse or luggage is stolen from the hotel, the first thing you should do
is ask hotel management to search for it. Most hotel robberies are committed by
the staff, and many hotels, especially overseas, don't allow employees to leave
with any packages; thieves generally take the money and dump the rest. Study
a map before going out; once on the street, use a pocket-size guidebook to avoid
looking like a tourist. Your hotel's concierge can mark any dangerous areas on
your map. Dress down to avoid any unwanted
attention. This includes jewelry. Even a fake gold chain can be ripped from your
neck. The only jewelry that may make you safer is a plain wedding band (even if
you aren't married). Keep in mind that
pickpockets tend to strike when people are getting off a bus or train, or riding
stairs and escalators. If you place your purse on the floor when sitting in a
restaurant or other public area, put your foot through the strap; don't leave
it loose. Carry just one credit card
and photocopies of important documents. When you are making any purchase don't
expose a wad of bills. Also, become familiar with foreign currency so you are
not fumbling with all your money at the cash register. Have small bills ready
for gratuities for porters and doormen. Purchase
a prepaid phone card instead of carrying around your card number. Also, bring
your cell phone and put the police on speed dial. Should
a car start to follow you, or you even suspect that it might be, immediately turn
and walk the opposite direction. If
you must ask for directions, it's better to approach families or women with children.
To be extra safe, say, "Where is the --? I'm meeting my husband there." Use
covered luggage tags and keep your luggage locked. Also, Instead of your home
address, use your business address. Talk
to other passengers and flight attendants on the plane about the safety of your
destination. Don't exit a taxi until
you're sure you've arrived at your destination. Pay while still in the car so
that you can be sure you've gotten the proper change. So
you won't get lost when leaving a confusing airport, pay a taxi to lead your rental
car to the expressway. On the road,
if someone tries to get your attention or your car is bumped, don't stop until
you arrive at a well-lit and busy area. In
your car, keep items out of sight (especially maps and guidebooks that tip people
off that you from out-of-town). | 
