NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Before unpacking your bags, many flight attendants perform what they call a “hotel room autopsy”: a quick six-step security check to make sure your room is safe before settling in. The routine is popular among airline crew members who spend hundreds of nights in hotels each year and includes everything from checking door locks to locating emergency exits. “This is not a nervous habit,” said a recent post from CabinCrew24, an online resource for flight attendants and aviation professionals. “It comes from years of sleeping in strange rooms, in different countries, under different fire regulations and different levels of hotel safety.” 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 issues. (iStock) First, flight attendants scan the room to make sure no one is inside. They hold the door open to check and also make sure the housekeeping has finished cleaning. “I just want to get familiar with the space and make sure everything looks the way it should,” Aura Martínez, a flight attendant based in New York for 19 years, told Fox News Digital. “It doesn’t have to be a 20-minute inspection.” AIRBNB GUESTS CHECK INTO THEIR RENTAL TO FIND A SURPRISING DISCOVERY IN THE WALL Then they inspect common hiding places, including the bathroom, shower, bathtub, closets, and behind curtains. Experts say travelers should briefly inspect common hiding places, 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 fire or other emergency. “In a real emergency, that’s not when you want to figure out the blueprint for the first time,” Brian Rooney, a Texas-based travel advisor and founder of GetCruiseInfo.com, told Fox News Digital. Before unpacking, some frequent travelers recommend inspecting the hotel’s locks, exits, and other security features. (iStock) “Know whether you turn left or right when you leave your room, approximately how far away the staircase is, and, if possible, how many doors you would pass before reaching it,” he said. Flight attendants also check locks to make sure doors, latches, safety latches, and windows close properly. in case your cell phone doesn’t work. “If someone unexpectedly comes to the door and claims to be hotel staff, call the front desk and verify before opening it,” Rooney added. Experts recommend being cautious when someone calls unexpectedly, even if they claim to be hotel staff. (iStock) Martinez agreed, adding, “You can be polite and still be cautious.” YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Martinez also said that a small flashlight is an “incredibly underrated” item to pack on your travels. Experts say hotel safety is about being prepared, not afraid. (iStock) The goal is to be aware of our surroundings and not be afraid to travel, Rooney added. “A minute or two spent checking the room, lock and emergency exit allows you to still enjoy the trip.” CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP Martinez agreed, saying, “The purpose is to be prepared, not scared.” Deirdre Bardolf is a lifestyle writer at Fox News Digital.
