Patricia Grisafi
Traveling can be both exciting and nerve-wracking, especially if you’re in a new place. And if you’re traveling alone, you might be extra concerned about keeping safe when you’re in your hotel room at night—especially if you’re a woman.
TikToker Allie Lovegood uploaded a series of videos in which she shares safety tips for women who are traveling.
Her tips include things like how to check if a mirror is two-way and how to secure your door if you don’t trust the lock.
Lovegood, who is an abuse recovery coach and a survivor of domestic violence, talked to Bored Panda about why hotel safety tips are so important:
“When I left my abuser in December 2019, I didn’t realize how desensitized I was to dangerous situations because of all of the abuse. Once I escaped, I took 5 solid months to start my healing journey and I started speaking of the abuse I endured. I don’t want to put myself into a situation where I am a victim again,” she said.
“Paying attention to other people’s behavior and mannerisms has allowed me to stay safe and leave quickly if I feel something is off.”
In her video, Lovegood also pointed out that the latch on many hotel room doors “doesn’t really do [anything].” So she advised putting something like a laundry board up to jam it.
“Why this latch doesn’t protect you: all you have to do is open the door right here, stick a piece of string or wire, close the door, unlatch it, and they can let themselves in,” she explained.
Lovegood added that she has received positive responses to her videos because “so many of my followers are women who travel alone and have been a victim of domestic violence, robbery, or rape.”