Advanced reservations: If you can plan your travel route, advanced reservations will allow you to research the safer places of lodging in the area you will be visiting.  Call the local visitors bureau and local police or sheriff's office for recommendations based on your safety concerns.

Before you stop for the night.  If you plan to keep high value items in your car, stop at a gas station or rest area to transfer these to your trunk.  Don't wait to do this at the motel parking lot where someone can see what you are keeping in the trunk.  Stop at a mini-mart for anything you may need during your stay.  This prevents you from having to leave your room after you arrive.

Picking a Hotel/Motel: If your travel plans do not allow you to make advanced reservations there are some things you can do to find the safer places.  If you have time you can still make a call to the local police for information. 

Checking from the outside

• is the parking areas, well lighted?  Are there tall shrubs that restrict view of the street or motel entrance.  Is there parking in the front?
• is the lobby attached to the main structure?
• are the room entrances well lit?
• is the outside well kept?
• what type of neighborhood is the area?

Checking in

• is the lobby staffed 24 hours
• is there a hotel safe
• ask the clerk about security precautions
• ask about dialing out from your room.  Do all calls go through the hotel switchboard?
• ask how to call police and emergency medical services... 911 does not work in all areas.

Requesting a room:  Stay off the ground floor. Ask for a room on the second floor, or lowest floor with rooms, nearest the lobby.  Ground floor rooms are easily entered by intruders through outside windows or sliding glass doors.  If rooms have outside entrances ask for a room on the front of the building nearest the main entrance. 

Getting your bearings

• While in the lobby, study the floor plan of the building layout... the one they use to show you which room is yours.
• Determine the most direct route to and from your room, to the fire escapes, elevators and nearest phone outside your room.
• Find the nearest vending area.

When you get to your room

• Do not accept a room that does not have
  • auxiliary locking devices on doors and windows
  • a door viewer
  • a fire alarm/smoke detector
  • a working phone
  • a working heating and air conditioning system
• Check the room for cleanliness... if it does not meet your standards, ask for another.
• Put out the "Do not disturb" and leave it up for your entire stay.  This tells passersby that the room has someone inside.... intruders will generally not enter rooms that are occupied.
• Before your leave the room, turn on the TV or radio just loud enough so that it can be heard from your door.
• Keep all curtains closed on window that can be seen by passers-by. 
• Use the door viewer to identify anyone requesting entry.
• Unpack and place belongings in the closet and dresser.
• Arrange your things so you will know if anything is missing.

If you have children

• don't allow them to roam the motel areas without being accompanied by an adult
• keep adjoining room doors open
• go over a fire escape plan
• set rules for your stay

Going to and from your car

• check you route of travel before you leave your car or the building
• have your car or door key in your hand
• use the main lobby entrance, not side or rear entries
• if you feel added security is need to get to your car, ask the clerk for an escort

Using the facilities

• keep all valuables in your room or the hotel safe
• leave your room key with the front desk if using the pool
• don't use pools, exercise or laundry facilities late at night