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Before unpacking their bags, many flight attendants perform what they call a “hotel room autopsy” — a quick, six-step safety check to make sure their room is safe before settling in.
The routine is popular among airline crew members who spend hundreds of nights in hotels each year, and it includes everything from checking door locks to locating emergency exits.
“This is not a nervous habit,” a recent post from CabinCrew24, an online resource for flight attendants and aviation professionals, said. “It comes from years of sleeping in strange rooms, in different countries, under different fire rules and different levels of hotel security.”
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Some of the advice even aligns with recommendations from the U.S. State Department for hotel safety, Travel + Leisure reported.
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)
First, flight attendants scan the room to make sure nobody is inside. They keep the door propped open to check and also make sure that housekeeping has finished cleaning.
“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. “It doesn’t need to become a 20-minute inspection.”
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Then, they inspect common hiding spots including the bathroom, shower, bathtub, closets and behind the curtains.
Experts say travelers should briefly inspect common hiding spots, including closets, bathrooms and behind curtains, when checking into a hotel room. (iStock)
Next, frequent travelers 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.
“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.
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Martinez recommends taking it a step further.
Before unpacking, some frequent travelers recommend inspecting a hotel’s locks, exits and other safety features. (iStock)
“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.
Flight attendants also check the locks to make sure the doors, deadbolt, security latch and windows lock properly.
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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.
“If someone unexpectedly comes to the door claiming to be hotel staff, call the front desk and verify before opening it,” Rooney added.
Experts recommend using caution when someone unexpectedly knocks, even if they claim to be hotel staff. (iStock)
Martinez agreed, adding, “You can be courteous and still be cautious.”
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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.
“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.
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Martinez also said a small flashlight is an “incredibly underrated” item to pack for your travels.
Experts say hotel safety is about being prepared, not fearful. (iStock)
The goal is to be aware of your surroundings — not to be scared out of traveling, Rooney added. “A minute or two spent checking the room, the lock and the emergency exit lets you get on with enjoying the trip.”
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Martinez agreed, saying, “The purpose is to be prepared, not frightened.”