Page 2 | To not sleep in a room I can't lock with 20mo?

guild · 2023-10-01T04:34:07+00:00

On holiday with 20mo. Just me and her in a room. Room has a sliding door balcony and the door won't lock (lock is broken). It's not a single balcony, it's one long balcony that connects all the rooms on this floor (maybe 10 or 12). In theory, anyone from another room could come in in the night. I've contacted the emergency number but they don't see it as an emergency and won't change us to a room where the door locks. It's a budget hotel and there's no reception during the night. I cannot sleep knowing anyone could come into the room and harm us or take DD without me knowing. Would you sleep under these conditions?

ploymus · 01/10/2023 07:32

UnaOfStormhold · 01/10/2023 07:14

Unfortunately hotel door locks are generally not very secure and there are fairly straightforward ways to open most of them. I went on a training course which included the advice to travel with a simple plastic door wedge so you can put it under the door - OP hope you made it through the night without incident - are you able to pick up a wedge for tomorrow?.

For a sliding door?

PinkRoses1245 · 01/10/2023 07:39

WandaWonder · 01/10/2023 05:51

Why on earth is this an emergency? Do you think people are that there near your windows waiting to pounce? Most locks are easy to break and get in if people are that desperate so why would a simple lock make a difference?

Sure I would feel it was a little odd but no need for the dramatics

This. Why are you so paranoid.

ILikeItWhatIsIt · 01/10/2023 07:40

Is it possibly one of those locks that still opens from the inside when locked, but not from the outside? So it still opens easily in case if a fire.

Guiltridden12345 · 01/10/2023 07:44

WhatsCookingFlora · 01/10/2023 07:09

Yes, I do think there are people waiting to pounce. Not around every corner but there certainly are an unfortunate number. That's why you get burglary and rape and abduction.

I also think that small children and sleepwalkers and drink people go wandering at night and this is another risk.

Here's the risk assessment: The chances of it happening are low but the consequences if it did happen are incredibly serious. This precaution against it happening is incredibly simple and straightforward, costing me very little (I have no problem living up a fuss for something like this) and not taking it actually makes it more likely that the thing will happen (because most criminals are opportunists who will only carry out the crime where its easy to do so but give up if it's hard and/or carry it out on an easier target - perhaps you next door!).

It's pretty cold comfort if and when you happen to be one of the unlucky ones in a situation where you could easily have prevented it to think "oh but I thought it was so unlikely!".

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This.

you are so not unreasonable op.

MrsToothyBitch · 01/10/2023 07:45

YANBU. I wouldn't like this without the toddler but definitely not with one!

ChaToilLeam · 01/10/2023 07:46

YANBU, OP.

Hopefully nothing bad will happen but it is unacceptable and unsafe. Can you put some item of furniture in front of the door?

Thirdsummerofourdiscontent · 01/10/2023 07:51

For all of you saying it’s fine, do you lock your doors at home at night?

maratara · 01/10/2023 07:52

I'm rarely a drama queen , but an acquaintance of mine had the exact same set up ( the long balcony and unlockable doors) and she was sexually assaulted by 2 men that came in her door after she was asleep. Given my knowledge of that - as silly as it is; I would probably sleep in the bath with my child and every pillow and blanket in the room with the bathroom door locked and check out first thing in the morning.
REalistically , you should be fine OP, just saying what I would do.

Diyextension · 01/10/2023 07:56

Ive lost count of the number of times ive fell asleep on the sofa and left the french doors open all night with the outside light on, it can be seen from the street too . Nobody has ever come in. Although a bird came in once , shit on the kitchen worktop and went out . 😐

Mumof2teens79 · 01/10/2023 07:56

Happypotatoman · 01/10/2023 05:55

I hope you're asleep, but if you're not just think of the millions of families that camp in insecure tents. They get through the night unscathed. As will you. Sleep well.

Best post ever!

I understand your anxiety OP but in reality the risk is minimal. You should try and get moved/fixed tomorrow but don't worry tonight.

To others, in most rooms I have stayed itln, I could barely open the sliding door let alone a toddler. But I would probably put something in font of it to be on safe side.

Georgeandzippyzoo · 01/10/2023 08:04

WhatsCookingFlora · 01/10/2023 07:09

Yes, I do think there are people waiting to pounce. Not around every corner but there certainly are an unfortunate number. That's why you get burglary and rape and abduction.

I also think that small children and sleepwalkers and drink people go wandering at night and this is another risk.

Here's the risk assessment: The chances of it happening are low but the consequences if it did happen are incredibly serious. This precaution against it happening is incredibly simple and straightforward, costing me very little (I have no problem living up a fuss for something like this) and not taking it actually makes it more likely that the thing will happen (because most criminals are opportunists who will only carry out the crime where its easy to do so but give up if it's hard and/or carry it out on an easier target - perhaps you next door!).

It's pretty cold comfort if and when you happen to be one of the unlucky ones in a situation where you could easily have prevented it to think "oh but I thought it was so unlikely!".

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@WhatsCookingFlora

100% correct!!

NewName122 · 01/10/2023 08:11

Yanbu I would not sleep. How can they leave you in a situation like that. I'd be concerned it was planned.

Tumbler2121 · 01/10/2023 08:12

I wouldn't sleep either. You don't know how long the lock has been broken for and how many people know that your door isn't secure. Or whether the lock has been deliberately broken. That is more of a worry to me than a random finding it.

awaitingroom · 01/10/2023 08:16

I wouldn't sleep in those conditions but for now could you pile suitcases, chairs anything near the door so that if someone were to come in you would wake

UnaOfStormhold · 01/10/2023 08:22

@ploymus depends on the design of the sliding door but if the sliding bit is on the inside you could probably put a wedge on the track in such a way that it would stop it moving.

Misty84 · 01/10/2023 08:24

WhatsCookingFlora · 01/10/2023 07:09

Yes, I do think there are people waiting to pounce. Not around every corner but there certainly are an unfortunate number. That's why you get burglary and rape and abduction.

I also think that small children and sleepwalkers and drink people go wandering at night and this is another risk.

Here's the risk assessment: The chances of it happening are low but the consequences if it did happen are incredibly serious. This precaution against it happening is incredibly simple and straightforward, costing me very little (I have no problem living up a fuss for something like this) and not taking it actually makes it more likely that the thing will happen (because most criminals are opportunists who will only carry out the crime where its easy to do so but give up if it's hard and/or carry it out on an easier target - perhaps you next door!).

It's pretty cold comfort if and when you happen to be one of the unlucky ones in a situation where you could easily have prevented it to think "oh but I thought it was so unlikely!".

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Absolutely agree with @WhatsCookingFlora. Chances of it happening are low but consequences if it did are incredibly serious.

Adrieeeeenne · 01/10/2023 08:26

You are not being unreasonable, and those who are happy sleeping with doors unlocked/lights on/front door open are welcome to do so and it’s great that you’ve never had the horrendous misfortune of being a victim because of it. And you can have serious safety concerns about your own situation whilst also having compassion for displaced/vulnerable people around the world. Hope you get it sorted OP x

Wouldyouguess · 01/10/2023 08:27

Happypotatoman · 01/10/2023 05:55

I hope you're asleep, but if you're not just think of the millions of families that camp in insecure tents. They get through the night unscathed. As will you. Sleep well.

Many don't, rape and violence in some of the camps happen frequently.

My friend stayed in a hostel once, she had a 4 bed room with females only and woke up to a man from another room wanking above her. No one knows how he got in. luckily that was all he wanted to do, but you know, dont minimise sexual violence that can happen just ebcause you sleep in oyur bed in a securely locked house.

MargotBamborough · 01/10/2023 08:28

Happypotatoman · 01/10/2023 05:55

I hope you're asleep, but if you're not just think of the millions of families that camp in insecure tents. They get through the night unscathed. As will you. Sleep well.

I wouldn't camp unless there was another adult, preferably a man, sleeping in the tent with me.

Ohthatsabitshit · 01/10/2023 08:32

Sliding doors can usually be wedged from the inside. Stack your cases or bedside table in front in case the teeny one undoes it all.

SlippySarah · 01/10/2023 08:33

I don't think I'd be that bothered just for one night to be honest. I would raise it the next morning and ask for it to be fixed or to move but I'd still get my 8 hours in!

Winter2020 · 01/10/2023 08:36

What would be on my mind is that hotel staff (and anyone they told) could know that it doesn’t lock (it is even possible they stopped it working)- so calculating the risk someone coming in could be much higher than random chance.

ClairDeLaLune · 01/10/2023 08:47

Acquaintance was on holiday in France in the middle of nowhere and woke up to find a man in her room. He’d got in via the balcony.

Those of you saying it’s not a problem - really?? The risk is small but the possible consequences are horrific. YANBU OP.

Fernie6491 · 01/10/2023 08:52

Lizzieregina · 01/10/2023 05:40

Personally I wouldn’t sleep a wink!

Could you see if they have some kind of short pole (think like the handle of a sweeping brush) to put in the groove of the sliding door. This would prevent it from sliding. I have this on my own sliding door even though it locks!

Never mind, I see there’s no one to even ask for a stick.

Exactly what I was going to say. We stayed in a holiday apartment in Portugal, and althought the sliding door locked, the owner also had a short broom-handle type pole to slip in the track and prevent the door from moving.

RosesAndHellebores · 01/10/2023 08:53

I hope you found a solution op and got some sleep. Too late now but a picture would have helped us advise re short term fixes.

A picture would be helpful for your complaint.

You aren't being unreasonable and I'd be unhappy with it. Good luck today with getting some help.