ADT Safety Tips: Hotel Safety

Safety Tips to Help Travelers Stay Safe on Vacation or Business

BOCA RATON, Fla., July 13 /PRNewswire/ -- More than one billion travelers stay
at U.S. hotels every year. While most enjoy pleasant vacations and business
trips, some fall victim to theft, burglary and even assault, crimes that
several hotel security veterans say may rise during a recession as hotels cut
employee hours and possibly security staff.

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Jack Feingold, a vice president with ADT Security Services, urged vacationers
to pay careful attention to their safety and security to avoid becoming a
victim of criminals or injured in an emergency.

"When traveling, people tend to be more attractive to thieves looking for easy
targets and hotel security is usually the last thing on travelers' minds as
they check in to a hotel. But security and safety should be a concern for
anyone staying in a hotel this summer," Feingold said.

To reduce the risk of crime or injury during a hotel stay, travelers should
follow these safety tips:

-- Avoid rooms with ground- or second-level windows. When possible,
choose
a room between the third and sixth floors. Rooms on these floors are
high enough to discourage access from the street, yet are within reach
of most fire-department ladders.
-- Remember to always close and lock your door. Make it a habit to use
all
locks, including the deadbolt and chain. If you choose to stay in a
room
that faces pools or beach areas, make sure your sliding doors and
windows have sturdy locks.
-- Do not open your door to anyone who knocks unexpectedly. If someone
unexpectedly knocks claiming to be a hotel staff member, call the
front
desk to confirm his or her status before opening the door. And teach
children to never open the door without your permission.
-- Park in well-lit areas and as close to the hotel as possible. Many
hotel
thefts take place in parking lots and structures, so finding a
well-lit
area to park your car is essential. Women traveling alone should ask
for
an escort to their cars at night. If possible, use valet parking
services. Valet service allows you to leave and pickup your car at the
main entry, while also providing an added layer of security for your
vehicle.
-- Take note of the hotel's emergency evacuation plan. As soon as you
enter your room, take time to look at the hotel's emergency escape
plan and make a mental note of the nearest emergency exit and how to
get
there.

-- Choose a hotel with security cameras. Video surveillance cameras can
provide an added layer of security to help prevent theft and
discourage
criminals. Hotel cameras should be placed in stairwells, pathways,
exercise rooms, parking lots and any other public areas. Cameras not
only help hotel staff track the safety of their visitors, they are
also
helpful in identifying criminals if a crime does occur.

Feingold said, "The most important thing to keep in mind when on vacation is
safety, for you and your family. Taking a few minutes to think about hotel
security is not only crucial to a fun, relaxing vacation; it is one of the
best safety choices travelers can make."

About ADT Security Services:

ADT Security Services is a unit of Tyco International and part of ADT
Worldwide, the world's largest electronic security provider. In North America,
ADT provides electronic security services to nearly five million commercial,
government and residential customers. ADT's total security solutions include
intrusion, fire protection, video systems, access control, critical condition
monitoring, home health services, electronic article surveillance, radio
frequency identification (RFID) and integrated systems. ADT's government and
commercial customers include a majority of the nation's Fortune 500 companies,
all U.S. federal courthouses and over 70 mid to large airports. Headquartered
in Boca Raton, Florida, ADT has more than 24,000 employees at approximately
240 locations in the U.S. and Canada. More ADT information is at
http://www.adt.com.

SOURCE ADT Security Services

Bob Tucker of ADT Security Services, +1-561-988-3619, btucker@adt.com