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A flight attendant has shared a simple hotel room safety tip that doesn’t require any expensive security gadgets

Hotel stays typically involve minor inconveniences – sluggish Wi-Fi or uncomfortable pillows – but feeling unsafe shouldn’t be one of them.

Sleeping in unfamiliar surroundings whilst travelling can leave you feeling exposed, and it’s perfectly understandable to worry about safeguarding your belongings when you’re away from home.

Nina Bolders, a flight attendant with 15 years of global travel experience and founder of Fly Me to the Vegan Buffet, has revealed a straightforward technique she employs to enhance her security in hotels.

She explained: “Even in a five-star hotel in the safest country, you sleep better when you know that no one can sneak into your room unnoticed while you sleep or shower.

“I used to make my own alarm system by placing a glass or cup on the doorknob and another one on the floor underneath, hoping that the noise would wake me up and maybe even convince the intruder to leave.”

Whilst it may seem peculiar, positioning cups or glasses on or close to your hotel room door can create considerable noise should someone attempt to enter whilst you’re asleep.

Thieves typically seek out straightforward opportunities and may be deterred by unexpected commotion, or pause if they spot an obvious warning sign, as this indicates the room’s occupant is vigilant.

It’s a straightforward method to boost your sense of security when you’re on the road without needing to pack extra items or spend additional cash. Numerous hotels provide door wedges, which can be wedged into your door before bedtime to prevent anyone from attempting to enter your room.

It’s advisable to store essential items, including your phone, wallet, and passport, in an easily reachable spot so you can monitor them regularly.

The most secure location for valuables is either on your person or within a bag that remains in your sight at all times. Should you need to leave them behind, it’s worthwhile purchasing a portable lockbox.

Nevertheless, the most crucial thing to bear in mind whilst travelling, according to Nina, is to trust your gut instinct and remain vigilant in busy areas you’re exploring.

She advised: “Be alert when strangers approach you, especially around tourist attractions or when things happen or are being said that make no sense. There are a lot of thieves and scammers out there.”

I made a major faux pas when going through airport security because I wore something which flags every single time – but I’m not the only one who has made this mistake…

The next time you’re going to an airport, you may want to consider your outfit a little more carefully, as I was told to never wear one item again after making a faux pas. You’d probably assume it would be safe to wear a comfy but cute tracksuit to the airport, right? But I couldn’t have been more wrong.

I want to dress for a plane as I would for chilling at home – just a little more elevated, as I am out in public after all. I want to browse the books in WHSmith and buy three, as if I don’t already have seven in my hand luggage, without stressing that my skirt is riding up thanks to my backpack.

That’s why my Juicy Couture tracksuit is a must for flights – or so I thought it was before being ushered to one side and urged not to wear it again when going through security.

Of course, for maximum comfort, I paired it with my Uggs. Yes, I was flying to a hot country, but we were arriving at night, and the transfer had air conditioning, so it was fine.

We dropped our bags off and made our way to security, breathing a sigh of relief that the queue wasn’t long, despite the fact we’d accidentally booked a holiday during half term (our adults-only hotel was uncharacteristically cheap, and we didn’t ask questions).

Then we were told at security we could keep our jackets on and liquids in our bags, which is fantastic, but I’d already taken my jacket off and put it into the tray.

The person handling the trays then asked me: “Are your pants the same as this?” as they gestured to the diamante ‘Juicy’ on the back of my tracksuit top.

“Yes,” I said, as I turned around, and they could see it for themselves. They chuckled to themselves and said I’d definitely be getting stopped when I passed through the scanners.

Lo and behold, when I went through the scanner, something flagged, and it was my tracksuit. I was asked whether I had anything in my pocket, which I didn’t, and then I was sent for my shoes to be checked.

When I was walking away, the person working for security advised me not to wear my Juicy tracksuit to the airport again if I didn’t want to be stopped. I must admit, this isn’t the first time I’ve heard this advice, but it’s too comfy and cute.

To be honest, I’ve been stopped and searched to some extent at security every single time I go through – usually because of jewellery – so I think I would’ve set it off anyway. But I assumed there wasn’t any metal with the diamantes on the tracksuit and that it was all just plastic, but who knows.

Anyway, I really don’t mind being stopped at the airport when the person searching me is polite and friendly. I’ve definitely had some vile experiences with security staff at various airports across the world, but thankfully, when flying out of Manchester, they’re usually pretty jovial and are just there to do their jobs, rather than behave like jobsworths.

Someone on X referred to airport security as a “humiliation ritual,” and while I have been made to feel like this in the past, it’s definitely not commonplace.

Although I can’t lie, when waiting for security, I do get a little bit nervous to see how the person will treat me.

I’m not the only person who has experienced this at an airport, either. Several women have taken to X to share their experiences of wearing Juicy Couture diamante items at the airport.

One woman wrote: “My bedazzled Juicy Couture track pants set off the airport security scanner and I had to get a pat down and an explosives test.”

Someone else shared: “I went through airport security in my Juicy Couture pants, and the bum got flagged,” followed by a crying with laughter emoji.

Manchester Airport has been contacted for comment.

Ryanair has told all passengers to stop putting a popular item in their hand luggage from January. It turns out, it should never be stored there and could cause problems at security

With the UK being so wet and dreary at this time of year, it’s no wonder people dream of escaping to other parts of the world, but there are some things you need to know if you’re preparing to hop on a plane. When it comes to packing, there are some important rules you need to follow to ensure your airport experience goes smoothly.

According to Ryanair, certain items should never be packed in your hand luggage, and one of them is super popular at this time of year. From January, you may want to think a little more about how you’re preparing to travel.

The thought of jetting off abroad may be lovely, but air travel comes with its stresses. There are some key guidelines you need to follow when it comes to your hand luggage.

Previously, the topic came up on Reddit when a social media user asked: “Looking for a trekking pole to buy. Which kind of pole (collapsible/telescopic) would be better so that it could be brought as a carry-on bag on Ryanair/Iberia?”

It got a lot of people talking, and they were quick to point out an essential piece of information, and it’s worth noting if you’re planning on going skiing any time soon. One person replied: “I don’t think it really matters what airline you fly. You have to get past security with them, and they are usually not allowed.”

Another wrote: “You will always be taking a risk unless you put them in a checked bag.” A third also replied: “Trekking poles are not allowed in your carry-on. This rule is not always enforced, but that is the rule.

“One time I flew to a location with my poles in my carry-on, but they wouldn’t let me on the flight to come back with those same poles in my carry-on (same airline).”

However, according to Ryanair, this isn’t the only thing you need to be aware of. If you’re going skiing any time from January, you need to stop packing poles in your carry-on luggage too.

What does Ryanair say?

According to the airline, various items are prohibited in carry-on luggage, and all of these are detailed on the website. However, when it comes to poles, it offers specific advice.

It reads: “The following items must not be carried on board, but may be carried as part of your checked baggage. Objects with a sharp point or sharp edge capable of being used to cause serious injury.”

Ski poles and hiking poles feature in the list, so it’s important you don’t take them in your hand luggage. Generally, they need to be checked in, as they are deemed too sharp to carry through airport security.

Due to their length and sharp tips, they are considered potential weapons. While some travellers may find success with collapsible poles tucked away, security agents typically require them to be checked.

Though some airline guidelines may differ, the safest option is to put them in your checked luggage. This will help avoid any problems or delays at airport security.

If you opt to try and take them through, you risk having to surrender them at airport security. It’s a gamble that’s really not worth taking when you travel.

Travel enthusiast Laurie has warned cruise passengers about one common item that will be taken from you at boarding as it poses a big fire risk if you use it onboard the ship

Whilst packing may not be the most thrilling aspect of a holiday, it certainly builds anticipation as you decide what essentials to take along on your travels.

For those embarking on a cruise in particular, it’s crucial to familiarise yourself with the varying regulations each cruise line enforces to ensure passenger safety whilst at sea. Typically, this involves each vessel maintaining a list of forbidden items that passengers are not allowed to bring aboard.

To help fellow holidaymakers in knowing what to leave behind, travel enthusiast Laurie – who goes by ‘traveltipsbylaurie’ on Instagram where she boasts 312,000 followers – has shared her expert advice on cruise packing.

In a recent video, she highlighted one specific item that’s banned from all cruise ships and will be confiscated upon boarding due to the risks associated with it.

“Do not get kicked off your ship by doing this one travel tip for the electronics that you bring to the ship,” Laurie warned at the beginning of her clip. “Just save yourself the stress by doing this one travel tip.”

“In our room with two twin beds, there is only one outlet section on one side, so get a powerstrip that is non-surge protecting, this one’s from Amazon,” she told viewers.

In the caption accompanying her post, she clarified that standard power strip towers or extension leads won’t make it past cruise ship security as staff will seize them as soon as you board.

The reason? Their surge protection elements pose a substantial fire risk. Cruise vessels operate on different electrical systems to residential properties, and when surge protectors interact with the ship’s power network, they can trigger overheating, flip circuit breakers, and create genuine safety concerns.

That said, you’re permitted to bring aboard a “non surge protector” power strip, which typically gets the green light on cruise ships. Multi-port USB chargers (without high-voltage sockets) generally pass muster too.

But, it’s wise to double-check with your specific cruise line before you embark, so you know what the rules are beforehand.

Should your power strip be confiscated when you step onto the vessel, crew members will tag it and ensure its return when you disembark.

The comments section quickly filled with responses, as numerous people were caught off guard by this stringent cruise ship policy.

“Oh I had no idea,” one individual remarked.

Another shared: “I brought one a few years ago and it was taken right away. I got it as I exited the cruise ship. You are absolutely right!!!”.

A third person said: “Royal [Caribbean] doesn’t allow any power plugs with a cord. They are only allowing non surge protectors that plug directly in. I thought Celebrity (owned by same company) had been doing this, too.”