10 Safety Tips for Women Traveling Alone

A few years ago, I was staying at a Ramada Inn in Palm Springs in a room by myself. At 3:00 a.m., someone opened my door. Thankfully, I had the safety latch on. The hotel had given another guest my room by accident, and a key to open my door as well. When traveling alone, there are a few easy-to-remember tips that will help keep you safe. Several of my friends travel internationally for business. I've collected a few recommendations from their experience, as well as some local police officers, to share with you.

1. Do not open the door for anyone. Even the savviest travelers have fallen prey to criminals dressed as officials, including a triathlete named Kate in San Francisco. She let a man posing as a gas company employee inside and was murdered.

2. Beware of other people's "emergencies." Someone asking you to watch a bag or hold a cab because they have an emergency, could be scamming you. It's okay to be a little less friendly when you're a woman traveling alone.

3. Make sure the front desk does not say your room number out loud. As soon as you hand them your credit card and driver's license, ask them to make sure they write down your room number and not say it aloud. Some women like to ask for a room nearest to the elevator as well.

4. Put tips for the bellman in your pocket. If you don't have a pocket, find another place that's readily accessible. The point is that you don't want to be opening up your wallet and rifling through your cash out in the open. This is also a time saver when you're running late. You can also pack light enough so that strangers do not need to help you with your luggage.

5. Know when the sun rises and sets in the city you are visiting. Meetings run late and your plan to take public transportation might not be the best idea after dark. You should also stick to main roads, even if you know the back way by heart.

6. Stuffing money in your bra isn't just for strippers and politicians' wives anymore. Some bras that have padding allow room for a $20 between the lining and the padding. If your wallet or purse is lost or stolen, this is your cab fare back to your hotel.

7. Wait inside your hotel room until your ride is ready and waiting for you out front. Ask the bell captain or valet to have you phoned. It might also be a good idea to leave your flashy valuables in your hotel safe.

8. Walk with purpose. Even if you are not sure where you are going, pretend like you do. Then ask hotel clerks and restaurant hosts for directions instead of a random person on the street. Also, be aware as you are walking that if you are also on a cell phone or PDA, you may appear to be distracted and vulnerable. Some women prefer to be on their phones in case they need immediate help. Just be aware that purse snatchers might be more likely to see you as an easy target - especially in foreign countries where speeding mopeds are the thieves' transportation of choice.

9. Carry self defense supplies that work. If you carry pepper spray on your key chain, make sure it works before you leave on your trip. Most cost between $5 and $10. I've tested the ila WEDGE Doorstop Alarm and it's loud. It's a device you place behind a closed door, or even in a hang-up bag so no one steals your clothes. If someone pushes the door onto the wedge, it sets off a high pitched 130dB siren. It's a bit pricey at around $20 and works really well on carpet. Loews and Home Depot sell similar devices that are not nearly as small and attractive, but might be a little cheaper. The Performance W2389 LED Pocket Flashlight is about $3 and packs a nine-LED bulb, which is super bright.

10. Your gut instinct is your greatest weapon. Tune in to what your gut is trying to tell you through all the clutter of phone calls, emails, meetings and appointments. Be present in the moment of where you are when you're alone. At the very least, it could prevent you from being ripped off, but it could also save your life.