Shko Faraj Agha
Booking a hotel or motel room for a trip, vacation, or work stay has become a common part of life. However, one important thing to always prioritize is your safety in unfamiliar places.
Why should you toss a bottle of water under the bed right after you check in?
Once you’ve checked in, doing a thorough room inspection can help prevent any unpleasant surprises. Most people inspect the main areas, including the bathroom and closet, to ensure everything is in order and there are no suspicious devices, like hidden cameras. However, not everyone thinks to check under the bed, which can pose potential risks.
Esther, a seasoned flight attendant from KLM Airlines in Holland, has a unique tip. Every time she checks into a hotel room, she tosses a water bottle under the bed as a precaution. If the bottle rolls freely from one side to the other, it’s a good sign that nothing is obstructing the space beneath.
The benefit of tossing the bottle rather than bending down immediately is that it gives you a moment to react if something or someone is under the bed. Bending down too soon could leave you vulnerable if someone is hiding. If the bottle doesn’t roll, that could be a red flag, prompting you to leave the room and seek assistance from hotel staff.
Additionally, if something feels off or suspicious in your room, it’s always best to trust your instincts, leave the room immediately, and notify hotel security. They can conduct a thorough inspection to ensure your safety.
Checking under the bed also helps assess how well the room has been cleaned. This area can sometimes be overlooked by housekeeping, leading to dirt, debris, or even trash building up. Guests might drop things or discard items under the bed, creating a potential breeding ground for pests like mice or bugs.
So, the next time you check into a hotel or motel, try tossing that water bottle under the bed. It’s a quick and easy step to help ensure both your safety and the cleanliness of your room.
