What is the towel trick in hotels?

The Towel Trick: A Simple Hotel Room Security Booster

Traveling, whether for business or pleasure, often involves staying in hotels. While most hotels prioritize guest safety, it’s always wise to take extra precautions, especially when it comes to securing your room. One surprisingly effective, and incredibly simple, technique is known as the “towel trick.”

This isn’t some elaborate James Bond maneuver, but rather a practical method of reinforcing your door against unwanted entry. The concept is simple: using a rolled-up towel to fill the gap above the door latch.

Let’s break down why this works and how to implement it:

Why the Towel Trick Works:

Most hotel room doors have a small gap between the top of the door and the frame. This gap provides a lever point for anyone trying to force the door open. By wedging a tightly rolled towel into this space above the latch, you’re effectively:

• Creating Resistance: The towel acts as a buffer, making it significantly harder to manipulate the door with tools or brute force.
• Absorbing Impact: Attempting to kick or ram the door will transfer some of the force into compressing the towel, reducing the strain on the latch and frame.
• Delaying Entry: Even if the towel doesn’t completely prevent entry, it will at least slow down the process, giving you valuable time to react, call for help, or assess the situation.

How to Implement the Towel Trick:

1. Locate a Thick Towel: Use one of the larger bath towels provided by the hotel. A thicker towel will offer more resistance.
2. Roll it Tightly: Roll the towel as tightly as possible, creating a firm, cylindrical shape. The tighter the roll, the more effective it will be.
3. Wedge it Above the Latch: Position the rolled towel above the door latch, carefully pushing it into the gap. Ensure it is snug and secure. You should feel resistance as you push it in.
4. Keep it Handy: When you’re in your room, store the rolled towel near the door so you can quickly deploy it when needed.

Important Considerations:

• This is not a foolproof solution: The towel trick is an additional layer of security. It shouldn’t replace other precautions, such as using the deadbolt and security latch (if available).
• Assess the Door Frame: Look for any signs of damage or weakness in the door frame itself. If the frame appears compromised, the towel trick will be less effective.
• Be Mindful of Fire Safety: Ensure the towel doesn’t obstruct your ability to quickly exit the room in case of a fire.

Beyond the Towel:

While the towel trick is a valuable addition, remember to always practice general travel safety:

• Never open the door to strangers without verifying their identity through the front desk.
• Keep your valuables out of sight. Utilize the in-room safe if available.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Trust your instincts if something feels off.
• Inform hotel staff of any suspicious activity.

By combining common sense with simple techniques like the towel trick, you can significantly enhance your sense of security and enjoy a more peaceful and worry-free hotel stay. Remember, a little extra precaution can go a long way.