Next time you are booking a hotel room, you should make sure it isn't any higher than the fourth floor. A travel risk expert has revealed the best way to stay safe at a hotel – and rooms below the second floor are advised against as well.

Travel safety experts and fire marshals generally agree that the safest rooms in a hotel are located on the second through fourth floors. This range is high enough to be difficult for intruders to access from the street level but low enough for most fire department ladders to reach in the event of an emergency. Furthermore, it is often recommended to request a room that is not directly at the end of a long hallway or tucked away in a corner; instead, choose a room closer to the elevators or the emergency exit stairwell, as these areas are typically better lit and have more foot traffic, which deters criminal activity. When checking in, many safety-conscious travelers prefer a room that faces an interior courtyard or a pool rather than a street-facing room, which can be more vulnerable to external noise or unauthorized access. Always ensure your room has a functional deadbolt and a peephole, and never accept a room on the ground floor if you are traveling alone, as these are statistically more prone to break-ins through windows or patio doors.