Think your hotel room is safe? Think again. Before you unpack, there are a few things you must check — or you could be putting yourself at serious risk. One detail could be a red flag… and if you spot it, it’s better to leave right away

**How to check:**

* Turn off the lights and use your phone’s flashlight to scan mirrors or objects for tiny reflections.
* Use your phone’s camera to detect infrared lights (in night vision cameras) by slowly scanning dark corners.

🔍 *Tip:* Apps like “Hidden Camera Detector” can help.

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### 🪞 3. **Check the Mirrors — Yes, Really**

Ever heard of **two-way mirrors** in sketchy hotel rooms? While rare, they do exist. Here’s a quick trick:

Place your fingertip against the mirror. If there’s a **gap** between your finger and its reflection, it’s a standard mirror. If it looks like your finger is touching itself with no gap? That could mean it’s two-way — and worth investigating further.

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### 🛏️ 4. **Inspect the Bed (Not Just for Comfort)**

Before you flop down, pull back the sheets and check the **mattress seams and headboard** for signs of **bed bugs** — tiny rust-colored spots, shed skins, or live bugs.

🐜 *Warning Sign:* Bed bugs don’t discriminate between luxury and budget hotels. If you spot any evidence, **leave immediately and request a different room far from the infested one**.

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### 🔌 5. **Scan Electrical Outlets and Devices**

Take a quick look at the room’s electronics. Are there **weirdly placed USB ports**, **strange blinking lights**, or **devices plugged in where they shouldn’t be**? If it feels off, unplug or report it.

🎥 *Red Flag:* Chargers or adapters with tiny holes could be camera lenses.

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### 🧼 6. **Cleanliness: More Than Just Aesthetic**

Dusty vents, dirty bathrooms, or stained linens aren’t just gross — they could indicate poor maintenance, which often goes hand in hand with other safety issues.

🧽 *Pro Tip:* Always travel with disinfectant wipes and give high-touch surfaces (remote, door handles, light switches) a quick clean.

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### 🚪 7. **Check for Easy Access Points**

Is your room on the ground floor with a sliding door or window that doesn’t lock? That’s a security risk.

📍 *Better Option:* Request a room on a higher floor, away from emergency exits or external staircases — but still low enough to be reachable by fire services (typically below the 6th floor).

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### ⚠️ One Critical Red Flag: **Tampered Entry or Strange Smells**

If you notice **signs of forced entry**, **unexplained odors** (especially sweet or chemical-like), or **personal items left behind** that clearly don’t belong to you — **leave the room and notify the front desk immediately**. These are red flags that could indicate the room was previously used for illegal activity, or that it’s not secure.

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### Final Thoughts: A Little Caution Goes a Long Way

Most hotel stays are uneventful — but your safety should never be left to chance. Taking five minutes to inspect your room can protect you from theft, exposure to unsafe conditions, or even invasion of privacy.

So next time you check in, remember: before you unpack, **check in with your instincts.** They might be the most important tool in your suitcase.

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**Travel smart. Stay safe. And never assume a closed door means you’re completely secure.** ✈️

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Want a printable hotel room safety checklist? I can make one for you!