Avoid the Hidden Dangers of Hotels

We have enough to worry about when we travel — lost luggage, tourist scams, the list goes on. The last thing we want to worry about is where we lay our heads at night, but oftentimes, the hotels we put our trust in have their own hidden dangers.

Avoid these potential pitfalls so you can focus on having fun.

Be wary of the free WiFi. Most hotels offer the service for free, but be aware there is a security risk involved with using an unknown network. Avoid accessing personal information (like your bank account) from your smartphone and instead use the free internet access for researching the best places to eat in town.

Let’s address the elephant in the room. Bedbugs. This is a problem even the best hotels struggle to combat. Take a peek at the mattress for obvious signs of bedbugs, like tiny blood stains or clusters of shed skins (they can range from clear to black). If you see any of these signs, don’t hesitate to ask for a new room or check out of the hotel.

Even if you think you’ve ruled out bedbugs, avoid putting your luggage on the bed. Use the luggage rack. You want to bring souvenirs of your awesome vacation home with you, not unwanted critters.

Keep your valuables either on your person, in the room safe or in a portable safe. Although no hotel intentionally hires thieves, hotel room theft is a common problem and leaving valuables lying around your room is a temptation that welcomes trouble.