There’s nothing better than finally dropping your bags in a hotel room after a long travel day. But before you flop onto the bed or head straight for the pool, seasoned travelers say there are a few smart things worth doing first.

Most of these take only a couple of minutes, but they can help you avoid everything from forgotten valuables and unexpected maintenance issues to bed bugs and safety concerns. Here are the first things many experienced travelers do the moment they check into a hotel room.

Look Around the Room Carefully

A quick walkthrough helps you spot anything unusual right away. Check behind curtains, inside closets, under the bed, and inside the bathroom before settling in.

Most of the time, everything is completely fine. But travelers say doing a fast room scan helps them feel more comfortable, especially when staying alone or arriving late at night.

Check for Bed Bugs Before Unpacking

Even luxury hotels can occasionally have bed bug issues because travelers unknowingly bring them from place to place. That’s why experienced travelers often inspect the bed before setting clothes or luggage on soft surfaces.

Pull back the sheets and check around the mattress seams, headboard, and corners for tiny dark spots, shell casings, or stains. Many travelers temporarily place their luggage in the bathroom while inspecting it, since tile surfaces are less likely to harbor pests.

Test the Essentials Right Away

Nothing is more frustrating than realizing the air conditioning doesn’t work at midnight or discovering the shower only runs cold after you’ve unpacked everything.

Turn on the lights, test the outlets, flush the toilet, check the water pressure, and make sure the TV, fridge, and thermostat work properly. If something is broken, it’s much easier to request another room before you’ve fully settled in.

Make Sure the Door Actually Locks

It sounds obvious, but don’t assume the hotel room door automatically locks properly behind you. Some travelers have discovered too late that faulty doors or deadbolts left their rooms unsecured while they slept or were out exploring.

Before unpacking, step outside with your room key and test the handle after the door shuts completely. Once inside, make sure the deadbolt, latch, and any secondary locks work properly, too.

Find the Emergency Exits

Most people glance at the evacuation map on the hotel door and immediately forget about it. But knowing where the nearest stairwells and exits are can matter in emergencies such as fires, earthquakes, or power outages.

Some seasoned travelers even count the number of doors between their room and the nearest stairwell in case smoke or darkness makes visibility difficult later.

Wipe Down High-Touch Surfaces

Even clean hotel rooms can have germs lingering on frequently touched surfaces. Many travelers quickly wipe down things like the TV remote, light switches, phone, door handles, and bedside tables.

It only takes a minute and can give you peace of mind, especially during cold and flu season or after long travel days.

Check the Alarm Clock

This is one of those tiny mistakes that can ruin an otherwise peaceful night. Plenty of travelers have been jolted awake at 5 a.m. by alarms left behind from previous guests. Some people simply turn the alarm off completely, unplug the clock altogether, and rely on their phone instead.

Put Valuables in the Safe

Passports, wallets, jewelry, cash, and electronics are safer locked away than sitting out in plain sight. While hotel safes aren’t foolproof, they do add an extra layer of protection during your stay.

Many travelers also lock valuables away overnight while sleeping, especially in busy tourist destinations or shared accommodations.

Check the Bathroom and Towels

Before hopping into the shower, take a quick look at the towels, sink, and shower area. Travelers occasionally discover stained towels, hair left behind, or supplies that housekeeping accidentally missed.

If something doesn’t look clean, it’s better to request replacements immediately rather than deal with it later when you’re trying to relax.

Locate Charging Outlets

One of the most annoying travel discoveries is realizing the only accessible outlet is hidden behind a heavy nightstand after your phone battery is already dying.

Many experienced travelers immediately locate working outlets and plug in their devices. It also helps you confirm that you remembered all your chargers and adapters before fully unpacking.

Avoid Using Hotel Glasses Without Washing Them

Travel experts often recommend rinsing or washing hotel room glasses before using them. While housekeeping standards vary widely, glasses and coffee mugs aren’t always cleaned as thoroughly as guests assume.

A quick wash with hot water and soap can help you avoid sharing germs with whoever stayed there before you.

Put the “Do Not Disturb” Sign on the Door

Some travelers place the sign on the door even when they leave the room for a while. It can make the room appear occupied and may discourage unnecessary interruptions or unwanted attention.

It’s a small habit, but one many solo travelers and frequent flyers swear by.