A Former FBI Agent Shares the 1 Safety Gadget You You Should Never Travel Solo Without-and It's on Sale

"You might not always take advice from TikTok, but when a former FBI agent pops up on your FYP, you'd better stop scrolling and listen. Steve Lazarus is an FBI retiree and U.S. Air Force veteran who also writes crime books, so he knows a thing or two about trouble and how to avoid it. In a recent video that's racked up more than 17 million views, he offers his advice to solo female travelers for staying safe on the road."

"In the video, Lazarus lists some precautions you can take when you arrive at a hotel, starting with parking in front of the building, where it's well lit, and using only the front entrance, never the side doors or stairwells. "During check-in, guard your private space like you're at an ATM," he says, reminding us to keep our room numbers concealed at all times. Other tips he suggests: don't select a floor in the elevator until the door closes, and let other people select their floors first. Do a sweep of the room as soon as you arrive, checking hiding spots and inspecting the locks and peephole for tampering."

Solo female travelers face heightened risk from predators who target hotels. Park in front of the building under good lighting and use the main entrance only. During check-in, protect personal information and keep room numbers concealed. Avoid selecting an elevator floor until the doors close and let others choose first. Immediately sweep a room for potential hiding spots and check locks and the peephole for tampering. Consider carrying a portable hidden-camera detector that scans for radio frequencies, magnets, and infrared to locate cameras, microphones, and magnetic GPS trackers for added security.

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