Why Use the Hotel Safe?

Many of us are not as paranoid as we should be about our belongings while were on vacation. Stolen items are a frequent occurrence, howevereven in the best of hotels. The good news is that if youve picked a good hotel, you should be provided with a private, in-room hotel safe. Here are seven reasons why you should always make use of that safe for your belongingsespecially the expensive oneswhile youre on holiday.

Because wages can be low in many countriesand your digital camera can look tempting. Depending on the country youre travelling in, wages could be very low compared to what we make in the U.K.as low as a few pounds of less per day. Valuables such as digital cameras and jewellery can occasionally provide a compelling temptation for the odd less honest hotel staff, and this can happen at even the nicest of hotels. If the price they could get for your valuables could provide a few months worth of wages its not difficult to see you need to take precautions. If you want to help people in less fortunate countries, research charities and make a healthy donation of your own free willdont let your contribution be inadvertent.

Because British passports are valuable on the black market. British passports are at a premium in some countries. Many people who do business in false passports often actually use real ones stolen from travellers. Pickpockets are as much of a problem elsewhere as they are in London, so its not necessarily safest to keep your passport on you at all times. Its vital when youre in a foreign country to keep your passport under lock and key.

Because youre not the only one with a key to your room. The cleaning staff has a key. The concierge has a key. With all these extra keys, who knows who could be in your room when youre out? Knowing this, its best to protect your valuables from anyone who comes into your room.

Because you could get the sack if you dont. If youre on a business trip, chances are you have along some expensive equipmenta laptop, a BlackBerry, company equipment to demonstrate, etc. If your companys property comes back damagedor doesnt come back at allyou could be the one who gets the blame. Prevent anything so drastic from happening by using the hotel safe to protect your companys valuables.

Because leaving money on your nightstand is like asking for someone to take it. And not necessarily with the intention of robbing you. Cleaning staff could think youre leaving them a tip if you leave out a few bills on your nightstand, dresser, or countertop. Tipping is the polite thing to do when youre staying in a hotel, but make sure you do it intentionally.

When we travel, we often carry more money with us than we would at homein the form of cash or travellers cheques. But you dont want to carry all that money on you in a new cityits too easy to be robbed or pick pocketed. And its not safe to leave it sitting out on your dresser, either. Keep your money in the hotel safe, and youll have much more peace of mind while youre out exploring.

Because identity theft can happen anywhere. If youve brought credit cards, a social security card, a passport, a cheque book, or any other personal documents with you, dont leave them where others can see themincluding out in plain view in your room. Its easy for someone to get hold of your room keythere are so many copies floating around the hotel, after alland copy down your pertinent information without taking a thing. Youll never know your identity was stolen until you start getting bills for things you didnt buy. Play it safe and use that hotel safeits there to protect you.

Even the most perfectly planned dream holiday can turn into a nightmare if you get robbed. So dont make yourself an easy target. Use all the safety precautions at your disposal, including your hotel safe.

Anthony Neary is director of http://www.thesafeshop.co.uk a major online supplier of safes and fireproof cabinets. For a range of safes The Safe Shop has a wide range of safes for home and business use. If you happen to be a hotel owner visit http://www.thesafeshop.co.uk/Categories/hotel_security_safes/.Beth Blog23055
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