Houston, Texas

Traveling is one of the most fun things you can do. Immersing yourself in other cultures, seeing new sights, and trying unique cuisine help you become a more well-rounded, open-minded individual. Whether you’re studying abroad, going on a business trip, or taking a vacation, traveling is almost always a fun adventure. That is when things go smoothly. One thing that can really put a hitch on your plans is theft. To protect your valuables while you’re traveling, it’s important to educate yourself and take precautions. One of the things you should be aware of when traveling is the use of hotel safes

What is a Hotel Safe?

Hotel safes are about a cubic foot wide, and they’re usually electronic. (That means instead of having to create a combination with a dial, you use a keypad.) These safes are big enough to hold your laptop, passport, cash, jewelry, and other values. Not all hotels have them, but many do. 

Are Hotel Safes Reliable? 

When people think about safes, there is a common misconception that they are one of the most secure ways to store your possessions. After all, they’re called safes. Why would they be called that if they can’t keep your possessions safe? Well, unfortunately, these security items aren’t as impenetrable as they seem, especially hotel ones. Here’s why: 

1. Multiple People Have Access

The main problem with hotel safes is that you aren’t the only one who can get in. Multiple employees have to know how to reset the safe’s code or bypass it in case a guest locks their valuables inside. That means a dishonest hotel worker would have no problem slipping into your room and taking a little bit of cash or a piece of jewelry while you’re gone. 

2. They’re Easy to Break Into 

Breaking into a hotel safe isn’t rocket science. Most hotel safes have an override code, some as simple as 0-0-0-0-0-0. If the override code is obvious, even another guest could figure it out and slip into someone else’s room. Additionally, many electronic safes have a keyhole somewhere that can be opened with a wire. As you can see, you don’t even need to have hacking skills or real locksmith tools to get inside. 

A hotel safe with red numbers

3. Hotel Safes Are Often Outdated 

Today, everyone knows how quickly electronics go out of date. Companies like Apple typically debut a new, upgraded version of their electronics every year, and technological advancements happen every day. However, hotel safes rarely change. Most hotels don’t want to pay extra money to replace their safes or make the effort to service them often. And even if hotels did replace their safes, most manufacturers are still using the same type of system. That means that your hotel safe is probably outdated, making it easy to bypass their security. 

4. They’re Easy to Find 

Safes are most effective when they’re hidden. Concealed floor safes and wall safes are often more secure because they aren’t obvious. If a thief breaks into your home and doesn’t know you have a hidden safe, it won’t be easy to find. However, hotel rooms are small, and safes are easy to locate. They are easy for would-be thieves to find and break into. 

What Can You Use Instead of a Hotel Safe? 

If this has scared you away from traveling, don’t be discouraged. You can still go on fun trips and keep your possessions secure. One of the best and easy ways to do this is by purchasing a portable safe. Portable safes attach to a stationary object, and most are made of sturdy, cut-proof material. They are inexpensive, easy to use, and effective! 

Keep Your Residence Safe While You’re Away! 

It’s important to keep yourself and your possessions safe while traveling. However, don’t neglect the security of your home while you’re away. Spider Locksmith is happy to inspect your locks before you go, that way you can travel with peace of mind. Contact us today for assistance!