12 Little-Known Tips to Avoid Hotel Room Theft

When you're finally on vacation, the only thing on your brain is fun. But keep in mind that you might become a prime target for thieves, who love to hit that cozy hotel room you’ve settled in! Now and then magazines, newspapers, and websites publish lists of the safest and the most dangerous travel destinations. But in fact, there’s always a chance of being robbed or attacked in any country in the world.
Yep, a trip to some places might be not as peaceful as tourist tour guides say, so you should know how to stay safe while traveling. About 42% of people who were victim to hotel theft left their belongings lying around the room; 45% didn't use the in-room safe; and almost 30% were bathing, lounging in the room, or sleeping when the theft happened. How can you outsmart the bad guys and keep your stuff safe?
Other videos you might like:
10 Signs Your House Is Being Watched by Robbers • 10 Signs Your House Is...
If You Find a Cookie Under Your Doormat, Call the Police! • If You Find a Cookie U...
If You See a Bottle on Your Tire, Don't Touch It And Call the Police! • If You See a Bottle on...
TIMESTAMPS:
Leave your prized possessions at home 0:27
Don’t assume that in-room safes are foolproof 0:53
Use a lock for your electronics 1:53
Ask for a room on a higher floor 2:23
Keep your room tidy 2:57
Make your room look occupied 3:43
Locke the door every time you leave your room 4:13
Lock up everything when you get ready for bed 4:47
Keep the "Do Not Disturb" sign on your door 5:32
Don't use a copy of the key 6:13
Don't flaunt your money 6:47
Always be on the alert 7:08
#staysafe #robbery #protectyourself
Music by Epidemic Sound www.epidemicsound.com/
SUMMARY:
- Even if you’ve decided to leave your precious things at home, you still probably have your passport, cash, and debit or credit cards with you. Luckily, most hotel rooms have a safe where you can store your valuables.
- Let’s say you’ve decided to lug that laptop with you. Maybe your job requires you to take work with you on vacation. Just attach it to something immobile like a piece of furniture or a radiator.
- By all means, try to avoid a first-floor room, especially if it doesn't face the hotel's parking lot. If first-floor rooms are the only ones available, it'd better be one that opens to the hotel courtyard or even interior hallway.
- Always lock your things and souvenirs away in suitcases, even if you’re just going out for a few hours. You can also take security luggage cables with you - they’ll let you tie your bags to some stationary thing.
- Make your room look and sound occupied even when you're out. You can leave the radio or TV on, and don’t switch the lights off.
- Don't leave your door open or even slightly ajar if you make a short trip down the hall to, I don’t know, help some elderly person with their bags or something.
- Lock up everything you can, not only before you go out but also when you get ready for bed. By "everything" I mean the room door, balcony doors, and windows. In a lot of hotels, balconies are right next to each other, and a thief can easily climb across to get to your room.
- Keep the "Do Not Disturb" sign on your door at all times. Obviously, it’ll keep the cleaning staff out of your room. But it also helps prevent someone else from sneaking into your room while it’s being freshened up.
- Ask for a new set of electronic keys, not a duplicate, if you've lost yours. This way, the lock on your door will get reprogrammed, so anybody who finds your lost key (or the person who purposely took it!) can’t get in.
- Don’t count your cash anywhere in public. Also, even if you've bought something awesome, don't pull it out of your bag to show your friends or travel companions.
- Always be on the alert. If you hear someone knock on your door saying that they’re from the hotel staff while you haven't asked for room service, call the front desk.
Subscribe to Bright Side : goo.gl/rQTJZz
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our Social Media:
Facebook: / brightside
Instagram: / brightgram
5-Minute Crafts KZbin: www.goo.gl/8JVmuC
Photos: www.depositphotos.com
East News
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For more videos and articles visit:
www.brightside.me/

[@BRIGHTSIDEOFFICIAL]

Hey there! Do you prefer staying at a hotel or in a private apartment, while traveling?

[@jonnyappleseed5347]

Wherever my family is I'm home!

[@hanesports6152]

Hey bright side can you show me how to make my lip thinner with exercise or hypnosis

[@btsunnie1982]

Private Hotel, definitely!

[@_komaljain]

Hotel is ok

[@BRIGHTSIDEOFFICIAL]

Jonny Appleseed great way of thinking!

[@Lookdownhereiam]

Great video. Thank you for saying at the end, 7:37 "It's not paranoia, it's just being careful and alert." That's all I've been saying. Years ago, I spoke to my college class for an assignment and explained these type of safety steps and the teacher was like, "Has something happened to you? Why are you so paranoid?" I was like. "Nah, nothings happened. I'm just aware of my surroundings." Bright Side did good as usual!

[@MrTkmandal]

Plot twist: thieves are watching this and now will know where your things are😂😂

[@user-zq6il3ze1q]

😁😂

[@paulmather9414]

Wha wha

[@rzv9338]

Exactly!That's what i have been telling!!!

[@heartzfrombr1]

true i also said it in another video lol

[@Dorina387]

😂😂😂 so right 😂😂😂

[@robbiePlanetaSano]

I own a hotel, I clean my own room when traveling and leave the “ do not disturb” sign on the door at all times . I carry my passport and cash with me at all times, never leaving them in a room even if there is a safe . Never been robbed.

[@petrkolomaznik6672]

Good job youve listend to the rules

[@youssefwalli9098]

Dont do that

[@jaiminirst]

Walli and Malone, Felix is just informing Bright side man.

[@chloecressida4627]

Lol

[@AllisonLinner]

A couple things: 1. As he said, *lock your door (and double check!) even if you're going down the hall to get some ice.* Someone can sneak in and *steal* something...but *even worse; they can *sneak in, hide, wait for you to lock the door from inside, and then assault you.* Especially *as a woman must be extra careful!* 2. Put your *valuables (cash, jewelry, electronics, etc.)* in some kind of *empty/fake shampoo or lotion container,* then *put it in the bathroom like normal.* 3. Remember that if you are *prescribed medication (especially controlled substances like opiates, benzodiazepines, and everything else)* you need to *hide that too or take it with you.* No fun to have a medical emergency on vacation. 4. I always say this, but *self-defense is everything!* And a *concealed carry course and permit is the best* way to go, if *you're a woman* (or *have children to protect!*) really truly consider this please.

[@purpleviolet72]

Some jurisdictions will not allow conceal carry. So check the laws of your destination as to whether or not you can carry a gun.

[@user-jv6rs2re3r]

I’m a women. ILL BEAT THE PERVERTS ON FRICKEN VACATION COME AT ME BOIS

[@duchi882]

*How to Outsmart the Bad Guys:* 1. Think like the bad guys

[@yuzinamaster8730]

2. Put a string on the door with a secret alarm on the top XD

[@BRIGHTSIDEOFFICIAL]

Duchi that’s a smart approach!

[@debuffedhuman982]

3. Be smarter than the bad guy

[@EpikEthann]

IQ: 949484774747474743838384883487474747474747748123456789104567778889,900

[@Drealmers]

Put some claymore inside your room

[@flyby9741]

A few tips: - NEVER leave your passport at the hotel. In case of emergency (fire, earthquake, terrorism) you can always leave the country. - Take a picture of your travel documents before leaving the country and send them to yourself through email. That way, even if you lose your stuff and your phone you can still access your email anywhere. -When I step out of the room and there's somebody in the hallway I always say "See you!" to an imaginary "roommate" while the TV is on and the "Do Not Disturb" sign hanging (as suggested here). -

[@McRibbyII]

Thx for the extra tips

[@itoo3654]

Me, too! Might reopen the door a tad and say: Bye!

[@heatherperry4612]

RIGHT

[@BRIGHTSIDEOFFICIAL]

TIMESTAMPS: Leave your prized possessions at home 0:27 Don’t assume that in-room safes are foolproof 0:53 Use a lock for your electronics 1:53 Ask for a room on a higher floor 2:23 Keep your room tidy 2:57 Make your room look occupied 3:43 Locke the door every time you leave your room 4:13 Lock up everything when you get ready for bed 4:47 Keep the "Do Not Disturb" sign on your door 5:32 Don't use a copy of the key 6:13 Don't flaunt your money 6:47 Always be on the alert 7:08

[@CrazzieGamer]

great video!

[@jeanmccall2007]

thanks

[@djaitran1095]

4th

[@djaitran1095]

Also thanks

[@thetwins834]

On the role😉

[@DKNex]

Thieves: Noted everything to outsmart your over smartness. Bright side: hold on a sec

[@BRIGHTSIDEOFFICIAL]

DK Nex do you think all thieves will watch this?

[@DKNex]

@@BRIGHTSIDEOFFICIAL no but some will and share this with their fellow thieves and you'll get some subs too 😂

[@pratimarajiv]

@@BRIGHTSIDEOFFICIAL I do

[@dessijeliazkova3724]

No thief can get in the hotel room because you need to have the card to unlock the door

[@sanahusary214]

@@BRIGHTSIDEOFFICIAL you are absolutely right

[@j4nv]

Leave your precious stuff at home... burglars couldn’t be happier.

[@nightfangs2910]

Yeah and be sure to tell everyone on social media your going on vacation and when

[@ThePayola123]

So instead of taking a Vacay, take a Staycay...!!!

[@Qatari2007]

ron sylvia they don’t know where u live !!!

[@bxbymychi4544]

@@Qatari2007 Who says? Some theifs spy on your home and wait for just the right moment *cough* when your away *cough* to steal those precious things that you decided to leave at home.

[@Usedtobecornelius]

What if the person had no valuables then the robbery would be worthless

[@heyitsmefatima8935]

I take everything but I leave my luggage’s somewhere safe in the hotel room but thanks bright side u told me a lot!!!❤️❤️

[@itsdelightful5941]

“If you don’t need it leave it.”~Bright Side

[@kripkethechameleonfriends4505]

Getting new keys instead of duplicates is best👍

[@carolineharris2569]

Duplicated keys aren't exactly the same as real ones tho

[@laarnifernandez2087]

Yesss

[@McRibbyII]

But if you lose your keys and duplicate it, they can still get into your house

[@YasFlowers]

thank you, all good pieces of advice.

[@manankapkar2515]

I liked that theif's smile on 0:20

[@BRIGHTSIDEOFFICIAL]

Manan kapkar what do you like about it?

[@manankapkar2515]

I don't know I just found it cute

[@manankapkar2515]

BTW big fan of yours

[@Safesuitcases]

Great list - I would caution people against using the in-room safes. I have seen hotel staff come to fix my safe and if was very easy for them to get into it when I could not. Also, avoid luggage that is held closed using zippers. They are very easy to open and close without being detected.

[@TheSoitenly]

Thanks for the ideas, I'm going on summer holidays next month.

[@Diana-jh7rp]

Thanks for the tip and thanks for sharing......

[@ajithaanilll4226]

@Bright Side I love your videos...keep it up

[@oscarv.4941]

At this point I watch these because I want to be safe and its fun to watch

[@1987Arby]

Rubber bands on a double-doored cabinet that you put your belongings in is a really good way to know if someone has been in the room and taken your stuff. If left untouched, your belongings are safe; and if cut, broken or left dangling you've been stolen from. This method is also a cheap, easy method of baby-proofing your house or apartment.

[@Fernadotube]

Useful tips, thanks for sharing the video. The portable security camera linked to mobile phone allow us to see what's happening in the hotel room via live view, email & app push notifications if any motion detected in the hotel room. This portable camera may help to secure the room too...

[@BRIGHTSIDEOFFICIAL]

Fernado interesting idea!

[@ek07305]

What brand?

[@Fernadotube]

Any brand available in the market :)

[@46monkeyes]

Fernado - Yes, how do I find one of these online?

[@AJMScholars]

AND guess what was scary my aunt and grandma's bag went missing but we found it and AFTER it's was smooth slaying

[@gavins.9254]

What?

[@saharali7328]

What?

[@saharali7328]

What are u saying

[@Ranze_Draws]

R/ihadastroke

[@fantasycreature123]

If we are alert all the times then it wouldn't be fun on the vacation. It would be more like tension and anxiety. Other than that tip,every single tip and advice was amazing.

[@barnalidhara6517]

Thanks for this advice

[@macbookaroni3580]

Wow this useful tips really helped me!

[@fakertazer2911]

Actaully some hotels use keycards and a few is think automatic lock doors

[@JoudRTs]

Yes

[@evoevannismo8141]

I will try to use these tips, honestly

[@fajar1975]

yeah, me too

[@khonagwala7863]

Yep I've learnt a lot hey🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽

[@aaravsplaylist5936]

Thank you for telling the thief’s

[@arminarazzaq2729]

Are you a thief

[@aaravsplaylist5936]

@@arminarazzaq2729 NO

[@ARMY-ot2px]

Yeah. So right

[@adamwnt]

ps: another tip I wanted to say is that at least to my knowledge and at least here in Europe most thefts in hotels happen at the lobby if there is a lot of confusion (e.g. many check-ins and check-out at the same time) and if you leave your luggage unattended somewhere at the corner. There may pass some well dressed thief pretending to be a client and nonchalantly walks out with your suitcase.

[@noori864]

Wow you help alot Thanks

[@ShiningStarAhsokaTanofan]

My family always uses the do not disturb sign down at the Continental Hotel in Orlando

[@itzblueberryplayz7490]

hey can i add some details on the part were you say that put ur belongings so i would say put a lock on it like he said but put it on ur stuff and put it in the safe and make a hard code and then put a lock on the safe and now its safe!

[@thesaltyolive_7367]

Oh my god!!!!Thanks,I’m going on vacation soon and the last time the adults went of vacation my grandmas kindle got stolen!

[@alisons.hanowell1241]

Omg love ur vids

[@notsolaria6344]

Yesterday I left my jewelry in my hotel room while I was planning to go do something overnight. The next morning I came back all of the jewelry I had left was gone. I thought they it away so I checked every cabinet and drawer. Nothing to be found. I immediately complained to the staff and an hour later of investigating , they caught one of the maids with my jewelry who had stolen it. Smh idk if I want to go to a hotel again.

[@suepete]

** Also, when on vacation, don't think your rental car is any safer than the hotel room. Thieves LOVE to target rental cars, INCLUDING breaking into the trunk.**

[@mindymcclard7502]

They got real junk in the trunk.

[@ozhd9hsi7djecue]

That happened to me today!

[@jaiminirst]

Kapow, really!

[@amichaels8346]

There are also great extra travel & security locks you can use like Addalock etc. 💙

[@itztechnicalplayz5425]

Thats amazing!!

[@TCHNOSTRYKER]

Thanksss for the tips I will try to use it

[@kaliabinns3446]

Thanks 😊

[@RussWWFC]

My tip: Hide in the wardrobe with a baseball bat.

[@smokeyblossom8183]

I'm going to another country in weekend so i should take baseball bat with me

[@Izzyyy223]

GABRIEL GREGORY not everyone is American some people are from other countries

[@mew_and_espurr]

I'm going on a vacation in August,this will be useful

[@lizabarodawala183]

*thankyou that helped*

[@westernwindkeeper2793]

Hotels are very sensitive about their hotel reputation...remember that until very obnoxiius person checkin or some staff gets dishonest until he Is caught! Which Is rare of the rarest. Still better be safe than sorry!

[@dylanschinella3861]

Once when my family got the card for a resort hotel room in the morning the people that work at the front desk gave us a card for a room that people were using already and when we opened the door we were embarrassed that we entered someone’s room and people were still sleeping in there so the front desk could make mistakes sometimes

[@dylanschinella3861]

We turned on the lights and everything and that woke them up but they weren’t mad they just really didn’t care I guess they wanted to just go back to sleep

[@immortalaaric90]

Very Much thank you Bright Side...

[@affagrindley2908]

Stay on the bright 🌞 side of life 😌

[@heatherperry4612]

I love bright side 😍😁

[@nightfangs2910]

2 nd floor in a hotel is best to high for most theives but low enough in the Advent of a terror attack or fire if jumping out the window becomes a must

[@immortalaaric90]

Wow!! Amazing!!

[@gmoops8986]

A 'security chain' on the door is a joke. Same thing with those wing type things. Mostly a feel-good device. It takes very little force to pull those wimpy screws out.

[@oogblfamily7575]

Awesome 👍😂😊

[@cheezzyburgerssw8558]

I put super glue on my valuables and memorize the part without it on all occasions that could have a 50% chance of robbery. They can't escape and when I get home, I will catch them.

[@user-hf1ij7vh6d]

My grandma and grandpa will watch for the house on the 6 day vacation to Florida, Orlando

[@Bigmanmarc]

Great vid

[@MrMarron69]

wow very informative, it's just the thing that I can't afford for vacation, I don't know why I'm watching this tho

[@DoubleDeckerAnton]

Aaahhh...material things...🤔

[@pasingaming7841]

Nice one love you

[@nabhijthakur]

hey your videos are great

[@nitricstudios9399]

Please make video on the topic of Nepal. Love from Nepal

[@QuarioQuario54321]

I once stayed on the 53rd out of 64 floors. Does anything matter? The lowest floors rooms are on are is 16(at least according to the elevators).

[@wouldyouRATHER970]

thx for the tip bright side! :DD

[@ablan8801]

I know some people really dont wanna get robbed but the tips in this vide is overkill

[@oliviasmith1546]

We don’t usually protect our room because in this part of the world you don’t tend to get robbers in hotels

[@timtok8931]

Hey! Thanks For the TIPS! Im Going To Maui! For Vacation!!! :D

[@sirprincethelancer7433]

Tim Gamer Plays Chute don’t tell people that. People go to you and not know what do then since they don’t know where you are and did not think this far.

[@zaitonhjmahmod1671]

Well if i want to keep all my things safe i will bring some of it safe or when i go somewhere or going to my neighbour room one of my family member will stay in the room

[@theunicornwhofellinlovewit8538]

My summer holidays literally just started

[@DoubleDeckerAnton]

Always watch your bags...!!! 👜👛...👀

[@avmobe]

thanks

[@asiamason2998]

My moms wedding ring got stolen at a hotel... she never got it back 😕

[@usedcarsuae.]

This channel is really amazing 💞💞💞💞

[@hernanjavier6353]

This man teach us more than school

[@ethan.bennett]

Thanks bright side

[@majesticroseperez6902]

Good job 👏 🤲🏾👍🧠

[@adamwnt]

leaving your room with a tv or some noise on on purpose while you are out may lead the housekeeper to think you are in too (not just the potential thieves) even if you take the key out of the room. So don't take it for granted they've cleaned your room when you are back. Best case scenario you're just puzzling the housekeeper who may need to double check with the reception if you are actually in or our before cleaning it. This is at least true where I work and it is not a small nor unglamorous hotel, on the contrary. I agree on all the rest and although it is good to be aware of it all, thefts are very, very rare at least here in Europe so you shouldn't get overly anxious either.

[@itoo3654]

I don't want the hotel staff to clean my room at all. I want them to think I'm in the room, when they hear the TV.

[@adamwnt]

@@itoo3654 if there’s a reception, it is there for a reason, if you tell them they’ll be more than happy to have the housekeeper save a few minutes of work and not clean your room. Simple as.

[@sebastiannielsen]

Note that asking the front desk if its a staff accessing, wont always work, because the receptionist might not have tabs on which staff is where. The best thing you can do, if a staff knocks on the door, and they have a staff uniform: Ask the staff to use their master keycard or key, then close the door, ensure it locks, and THEN unchain the chain. If the staff is real, then they will be able to enter using their credentials. If its fake staff, no access. Its very rare that staff don't have master keys or master access cards. You have then double-verifyed: Both uniform and master access key. That should be enough. NOTE: Do NOT lock the deadbolt if its a electronic lock. Usually, deadbolt disables staff access and only hotel manager access card works then. So locking the deadbolt doesn't work to validate its a genuine staff. (Unless you must lock deadbolt to actually lock the door. Try it out yourself with your own keycard: If your keycard is required to open the door at all times, then you don't need to turn the deadbolt to lock the door. Some hotels however require you to pull handle upwards to actually lock the door, otherwise the door will be totally unlocked (ergo, no keycard required) then you must do this from the inside to successfully validate staff as genuine) And its VERY unlikely a crook have got hold of BOTH an valid access card for your door AND a staff uniform. Even if you lost a card, its more likely that a crook have EITHER of these, either a access card OR a uniform. There have been times where hotels have handed out staff keys to tenants by mistake, thats why you should validate the uniform first.

[@abbyofficial1845]

I was staying at a hotel in Las Vegas for the past week and only just got home today. On Wednesday night, the fire alarm went of at 3:30am. Me and my parents were on the 28th floor.

[@amichaels8346]

Yes, it's best if you can to always book a hotel room between the 2nd & 5th floors. 💙

[@chadrowland5234]

And don't do what we are all guilty of doing. I've done it, I do this every time I am in a hotel...flip the door guard over, let that door rest against it to prevent it from latching, and run down the hallway to get ice at the elevator and come right back. Don't do it! Don't do that!

[@daniel4science328]

Today I watched this video,Tomorrow I go on holiday!What are the chances?By the way I’m going to Portugal!

[@airaid1002]

nice

[@MC-yp4iw]

I protect my all valuables in the locker...

[@46monkeyes]

I just canceled my Hawaiian vacation. Thanks.

[@143faz]

🔐 locking everything

[@renholderneas683]

When we go on vecation we bring our mini safe wich only opens with my and my moms woice😝

[@easyenglish8086]

Nice video

[@evalynd.domine5185]

I often tell people to stay in my house like my cousin or son thats smart enough to keep burgelers out

[@stustu1969]

You made this video on my flight day. Sad ☹️ I am back at 🏠 home

[@claradevilclaw3328]

It's easy to keep out bad guys when I'm in a hotel because there we always go on family trips not with friends or alone so we leave family member in the room while the rest of us go out

[@TCHNOSTRYKER]

I protect mine using YOUR TIPS

[@tiffanyanderson8326]

how can I outsmart the bad guys? I don't, I go to grandparents house.

[@sameeratieh8532]

No one: Bright side: PeOpLe ArE tRyInG tO sTeAl yOuR vAcAtIoN

[@sanghyucklee4385]

There was one time someone stole my clothes and my stroller!!!!I need to be more careful!!!

[@sharada027]

Bright side, I have a tip for you. Tell that when you are getting out of the house, check inside the house. Burglars can also get the house and hope for us to leave and then do the theft

[@sebwilkins]

on my road i have nosy neirbours and when were out we put on music and close curtains

[@aaronzaharias9110]

I'm going to mesquite in a week I might just keep my tablet or something in my bag and hide it???

[@ZainAli-ct2wo]

Bright side is really a bright youtube channel

[@dr.farahwaseem1499]

Wow what a good tips

[@mabro4033]

I haven’t been to any vacation since last year 😢

[@airaid1002]

thats sad hope ypu can get some vcation time soon ;)

[@AlexD-wl2uh]

M&A Bro sad

[@dilpreetSingh-ek4kr]

same i just went 1 time in my whole life

[@shansathit8604]

Now that I've watched this vid I'm scared to stay in a hotel now 😮😮😬😬😬😲😲😧😱😨😰😖😦🤐😳😳😳