The routine is popular among airline crew members who spend hundreds of nights in hotels each year. It includes everything from checking door locks to locating emergency exits.<\/p>\n
“This is not a nervous habit,” said a recent post<\/a> from CabinCrew24, an online resource for flight attendants and aviation professionals.\u00a0<\/p>\n ‘DO NOT PHYSICALLY RESIST’: US ISSUES CHILLING ROBBERY WARNING FOR AMERICANS OVERSEAS<\/a><\/p>\n “It comes from years of sleeping in strange rooms, in different countries, under different fire rules and different levels of hotel security.”<\/p>\n Some of the advice even aligns with recommendations from the U.S. State Department for hotel safety, Travel + Leisure reported.<\/a><\/p>\n Flight attendants say spending about 90 seconds checking a hotel room before unpacking can help travelers become familiar with their surroundings and identify potential safety concerns. (iStock)<\/p>\n 6 steps to feeling safer1. Scan the room<\/p>\n First, flight attendants scan the room to make sure nobody is inside.\u00a0<\/p>\n They keep the door propped open to check \u2014 and also make sure that housekeeping has finished cleaning.<\/p>\n “I just want to familiarize myself with the space and make sure everything looks as it should,” Aura Martinez, a New York-based flight attendant for 19 years, told Fox News Digital.\u00a0<\/p>\n AIRBNB GUESTS CHECK INTO THEIR RENTAL TO FIND STARTLING DISCOVERY ON WALL<\/a><\/p>\n “It doesn’t need to become a 20-minute inspection.”<\/p>\n 2. Do an inspection<\/p>\n Then, they inspect common hiding spots, including the bathroom, shower, bathtub, closets and behind the curtains.<\/p>\n Experts say travelers should briefly inspect common hiding spots, including closets, bathrooms and behind curtains, when checking into a hotel room. (iStock)<\/p>\n 3. Know the emergency exit’s location<\/p>\n Next, frequent travelers<\/a> locate the nearest emergency exit. They also review the evacuation map posted on the back of the hotel room door in case of a fire or other emergency.<\/p>\n “In an actual emergency, that’s not when you want to be figuring out the floor plan for the first time,” Brian Rooney, Texas-based travel advisor and founder of GetCruiseInfo.com, told Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n VACATION PARADISE UNDER ATTACK AS OFFICIALS SUSPECT ARSONISTS MAY BE BEHIND INFERNO<\/a><\/p>\n Martinez recommended taking it a step further.<\/p>\n “Know whether you turn left or right when you leave your room, approximately how far the stairwell is and, if possible, how many doors you would pass before reaching it,” she said.<\/p>\n Before unpacking, some frequent travelers recommend inspecting a hotel’s locks, exits and other safety features. (iStock)<\/p>\n 4. Check the locks<\/p>\n Flight attendants also check the locks.<\/p>\n They want o make sure the doors, dead bolt, security latch and windows all lock properly.<\/p>\n 5. Be sure the phone works<\/p>\n They also advise making sure the room phone is working so that they can reach the front desk or emergency services in case their cellphone isn’t working.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER<\/a><\/p>\n “If someone unexpectedly comes to the door claiming to be hotel staff, call the front desk<\/a> and verify before opening it,” Rooney added.<\/p>\n Martinez agreed, adding, “You can be courteous and still be cautious.”<\/p>\n Experts recommend using caution when someone unexpectedly knocks, even if they claim to be hotel staff. (iStock)<\/p>\n 6. Put a door alarm in place<\/p>\n Finally, experts recommend placing a portable door alarm or door wedge at the base of the door so you know if someone is trying to enter.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS<\/a><\/p>\n “A portable door alarm or wedge can provide an additional layer of reassurance, particularly for a solo traveler, but it shouldn’t replace checking that the hotel’s own locks work correctly,” Rooney said.<\/p>\n TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ<\/a><\/p>\n Martinez also said a small flashlight is an “incredibly underrated” item to pack for your travels.<\/p>\n Experts say hotel safety is about being prepared \u2014 not fearful. (iStock)<\/p>\n The goal is to be aware of your surroundings \u2014 not to be scared to travel, Rooney added.\u00a0<\/p>\n “A minute or two spent checking the room, the lock and the emergency exit lets you get on with enjoying the trip.”<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c87093db-female-traveler-hotel-room-safety.jpg\")
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