When it comes to staying in a hotel, safety should always be a top priority, no matter where you are or how familiar you might feel with your surroundings. This advice holds especially true for solo travelers and women, who often face unique security challenges when staying in unfamiliar places. While hotels are generally considered safe spaces, they are not immune to privacy concerns, break-ins, or other unexpected situations. Being proactive about your safety can make all the difference in ensuring peace of mind during your stay.

Recently, a flight attendant named Cici went viral on TikTok after sharing her essential hotel safety tips. As someone who travels frequently and stays in countless hotel rooms worldwide, Cici emphasized that safety remains her number one priority, no matter the destination. Her advice includes a range of precautionary measures, but one tip, in particular, stood out: using a towel to secure the safety latch on your hotel room door.

Why You Should Use a Towel on the Hotel Door Latch

Hotel room safety latches are designed to provide an added layer of security, preventing unauthorized access even if someone has a key card. However, these latches aren’t foolproof, and in some cases, determined intruders have been able to bypass them. To make the latch more secure, Cici recommends a simple but effective trick: using a small towel.

To do this, grab a small hand towel from the bathroom. Wrap it tightly around the safety latch, ensuring it covers the mechanism completely. Then, close the latch with the towel still in place. The towel adds friction and makes it significantly harder for anyone to manipulate or force the latch open from the outside. As an extra precaution, Cici suggests keeping a spare towel near the door as a visual reminder to secure the latch every time you’re in your room.

This method is quick, easy, and requires no special tools—just a towel and a few seconds of your time. It’s a small step, but it can provide an additional layer of security, giving you peace of mind while you sleep or relax in your room.

Additional Hotel Room Safety Tips

While the towel-on-the-latch trick is incredibly effective, it’s just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to overall hotel safety. Cici shared several other tips that are equally important for ensuring a secure stay.

1. Count the Doors to the Exit Stairwell

Upon entering your hotel room, one of the first things you should do is count how many doors are between your room and the nearest exit stairwell. In the event of a fire or another emergency where smoke or darkness may obscure your vision, knowing how many doors you need to pass can help you navigate to safety quickly and calmly.

2. Study the Emergency Evacuation Map

Most hotel hallways have an emergency evacuation map posted near the elevators or stairwells. Take a moment to study this map and understand the layout of your floor. Knowing where the exits are and how to reach them efficiently could be life-saving in an emergency.

3. Use the Hotel Safe

If your room has a safe, use it to store valuable items such as your passport, credit cards, cash, and electronics. Set a secure, unique passcode and double-check that the safe is properly locked before leaving your room.

4. Inspect Your Room Upon Arrival

When you first enter your hotel room, do a quick security check. Look under the bed, inside closets, behind curtains, and in the bathroom. Ensure that all windows and sliding doors are locked securely. If anything feels off or suspicious, don’t hesitate to request a room change from the hotel staff.

5. Use the “Do Not Disturb” Sign

Even if you’re not in your room, leaving the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door can create the illusion that someone is inside. This simple step can deter potential intruders from attempting to enter.

6. Avoid Sharing Your Room Number Publicly

When checking in, if the hotel staff says your room number out loud, politely ask for a new room. Additionally, avoid discussing or sharing your room number with strangers in public areas.

Why These Precautions Matter

Traveling should be an enjoyable experience, but it’s always better to be prepared for the unexpected. Taking a few extra minutes to secure your room and familiarize yourself with safety protocols can significantly reduce risks. Cici’s towel hack is a perfect example of how a simple, everyday item can be repurposed to enhance your safety. Combine it with other practical measures, like studying evacuation maps and counting doors to the stairwell, and you’ll be well-prepared for any scenario.

Final Thoughts

Hotel safety doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Sometimes, the most effective precautions are also the simplest—like using a towel to secure your door latch. By adopting these habits and remaining aware of your surroundings, you can enjoy your trip with greater confidence and peace of mind.

The next time you check into a hotel, remember Cici’s tips. Take a few moments to secure your door, count the doors to the nearest exit, and familiarize yourself with the emergency procedures. Safe travels are smart travels, and a little preparation goes a long way in ensuring a worry-free stay.