A flight attendant has shared her top tips to ensure you can sleep in a hotel safely and securely.
American cabin crew member Cici has a checklist she follows whenever she stays in a hotel, particularly when she first arrives.
For her, safety is the most important thing for her when on a stop over with work or in a rented room for leisure, so she always follows a security routine after she checks in, the Express reported.
According to the travel expert, it is essential to "always count the number of doors to the exit stairwell", Cici said on a recent TikTok video.
This is in case there is a fire and "it is too dark or smoky" for hotel guests to see where the exits are.
Being prepared and familiarising with the security and evacuation maps that are often displayed on the corridors is key to staying safe in case of an emergency.
The flight attendant also advised travellers to make sure the door is fully shut whenever they leave their room - something which she says is easy to forget to do.
"I see doors not fully shut all the time walking through the hallway," Cicic said.
Hotel doors are usually heavy and may need a final push to be closed properly.
When in her room, Cici checks the peephole to make sure it is closed.
If there is no cover for it on the door, "just take some tissue and shove it in there so nobody can see inside your room".
She always takes a small towel from the bathroom and wraps it around the safety latch as an extra security measure.
The flight attendant then closes the latch lock with the hand towel, which will make it harder to open.
She went on to explain that she uses "a personal safety alarm like the Birdie". Birdie is a personal safety alarm "made for women".
The colourful device has "a loud alarm and flashing strobe light designed to deter an attack" and can be purchased online for less than £20.
"I bought one for all the women in my life," Cici said.
When it comes to letting strangers into her room, the flight attendant does not mess around.
"If someone knocks at the room and says they are housekeeping, but you didn't order anything, call the front desk," Cici said.
"This could also be room service, security or anything you weren't expecting."
Finally, "for added protection at night", the flight attendant recommended using door safety alarms, which are set off if someone enters the room.
"Always bring two door wedges or door stop alarms just in case you have an adjoining room and they weren't able to accommodate your room request," she continues.
