The Underrated Safety Minute for Road Warriors

Do you ever take a safety minute?

One of the most fascinating aspects of facilitating professional development sessions for various organizations is soaking in the safety minute. I don’t know if anyone else in the room is even paying attention—but I stop and take notes! Because I provide training for engineering firms, energy organizations, and electric cooperatives, I’ve come to appreciate the mandatory safety minute.

Last week I worked in Tempe, Arizona, with DOWL at their annual Advanced Communications Program. Our extraordinary ACP coordinator, Erin Karlin, shared these safety tips during kickoff on the first day, and these are too good not to share. As someone who travels weekly, I didn’t want to keep these to myself. I hope all of you ROAD WARRIORS find them useful—and will share a few of your own.

Stay safe in your hotel room

When you enter your hotel room, immediately turn around and lock and dead-bolt the door. With time, this will become second nature. Keep your windows closed, and make sure they are locked. Follow the same practice with balcony doors, even if you are on a high level of the hotel. Don’t let unknown individuals into your room, even if they say they work for the hotel. They can leave requested items outside your door.

Spread out your valuables

I instinctively do this, so I was glad to see it’s an actual tip. Don’t leave all of your money in one place. Spread your valuables throughout all the items of your luggage; therefore, if a bag is misplaced, you haven’t lost everything. Use the room safe for jewelry and smaller items. And, don’t leave your computer sitting out in the open all day.

Be wary of WiFi

Hotel internet access is convenient, but I don’t recommend conducting banking business or paying credit card bills using unsecured WiFi.

What are your hotel safety tips when you are on the road?