Hotel Security Checklist - FREE PDF Download | Lumiform

Hotel security checklist

About the Hotel security checklist

Using a hotel security checklist template is essential for maintaining a safe and secure environment for guests and staff. This template serves you by providing a structured framework to systematically assess and address potential security risks. Implement a checklist to ensure you regularly inspect and maintain all critical areas, such as access points, surveillance systems, and emergency protocols.

The primary purpose of a hotel security checklist is to enhance operational efficiency and ensure compliance with safety regulations. It helps you identify vulnerabilities, enabling you to take proactive measures to mitigate risks.

Additionally, using a checklist ensures consistency in security practices across your property, reducing the likelihood of oversight. By integrating this template into your routine, you can improve guest confidence, protect your assets, and uphold your hotel’s reputation for safety and reliability.

Key elements of a hotel security checklist template

Understanding the key elements of a hotel security checklist template is crucial for maintaining a safe environment. Here are the essential components to include:

Access control checks: This section ensures that all entry and exit points are secure. By regularly inspecting locks, card readers, and security personnel protocols, you can prevent unauthorized access and protect both guests and staff.
Surveillance system evaluation: Regularly assess the functionality and coverage of CCTV cameras and monitoring systems. This ensures that all areas are adequately monitored, deterring potential security threats and providing valuable footage in case of incidents.
Emergency preparedness review: This component involves checking the readiness of fire alarms, emergency exits, and evacuation procedures. Ensuring these systems are operational helps you respond effectively to emergencies, safeguarding lives and property.
Incident reporting and documentation: Maintain a section for logging security incidents and actions taken. This documentation is vital for analyzing patterns, improving security measures, and ensuring accountability.

By incorporating these elements into your hotel security checklist template, you can create a comprehensive tool that enhances safety, ensures compliance, and maintains the trust of your guests.

When to use a hotel security checklist template

A hotel security checklist template is most effective in scenarios where maintaining a secure environment is paramount. You should use this template during routine security audits to ensure that all safety protocols are consistently followed. This helps you identify potential vulnerabilities and address them before they escalate into serious issues.

The template is also invaluable when onboarding new security staff, providing them with a clear framework to understand and implement your hotel’s security measures. Additionally, during heightened security concerns, such as large events or peak tourist seasons, use the checklist to ensure you monitor and maintain all critical areas.

By applying the checklist in these contexts, you can enhance operational efficiency, minimize risks, and ensure that your hotel remains a safe haven for guests and staff alike.

Related categories

Preview of the template

Inspection

Police Contact

Has the Local Service Area Crime Prevention Section conducted a security audit. (If Yes comment to enter who attended and when)

Building Identification And & Visitor Access

Is the Hotel name clearly visible at all public access points?

Are entry points to the Hotel supervised?

Are you able to restrict access from vulnerable access points (e.g. Hotel backs onto laneway)

Are your ‘staff only” areas clearly identified and separated from public areas?

Are doors and windows protected by security devices to prevent “ram raids”? (e.g. bollards or other security devices)

Do staff wear identification badges or a hotel uniform at all times whilst in the Hotel?

Do approved gaming staff and responsible persons wear their name badges?

Are staff encouraged to challenge people in back of house area not wearing ID/hotel Uniform?

Are there appropriate warning signs displayed around the hotel relating to security and or video surveillance ?

Is there natural visibility into public areas of the Hotel from outside the Hotel?

Access Control

Are all doors fitted with quality locks to restrict access when the premises are closed? Or to non-public areas?

Can internal doors be locked when left unattended for long periods of time?

Are unused windows permanently closed and secured?

Do nominated members of staff check to ensure that all patrons have left the premises at the end of the trading times?

Do nominated members of staff check that all doors and windows are closed and locked at the end of the trading times?

Are the number of entry/exit points kept to a minimum?

Is landscaping well maintained to enable clear sightlines from within the Hotel (e.g. cutting back overgrown planting)?

Is there working security lighting installed that adequately lights the entry points?

Is the floor design arranged to provide good sightlines within the premises? (e.g. there should be good sightline from the cash area(s) to the front door)

Are reception/counter heights appropriate for each part of the premises?

Are visitors/customers prevented from accessing the area behind the bars, cashier areas and other back of house areas?

Does the Hotel have an appropriate sign in/out process for Trade Visitors? (are visitors asked for identification, does a staff member accompany visitors at all times, etc.)

Is a cloak room /bag holding service provided at point of entry? If so, is it monitored/supervised?

Are there appropriate internal signs to guide visitors/patrons/guests?

Are cash registers or other area(s)where cash is kept a reasonable distance from the front door?

Are ceiling spaces secure? (e.g. cannot be accessed from an adjoining property?)

Does the Hotel have a policy regarding the wearing of helmets /hats/beanies etc., on the premises? If so is the policy displayed adequately?

Vehicles And Vehicle Access Controls

Are vehicles prevented from entering restricted areas of your property?

Are vehicles permitted to park close to the entrances of the Hotel?

Are vehicles in carparks or other areas under the control of the licensee checked for unattended children at regular intervals?

Are vehicles which have been identified as suspicious investigated as soon as they are discovered? (vehicle parked close to entry points with occupants, vehicles parked in unusual positions, vehicles driving slowly around carparks with the occupants paying close attention to the activities etc.)

Property Identification

Is a record kept of the make, model and serial numbers of all hotel assets including items, such as mobile phones, computers, televisions etc.? Is this information recorded in an Assets Register?

Is all valuable property permanently marked with a corporate identifier (such as the Hotel name, logo, ABN etc.)?

Is valuable property photographed for easy identification?

Are the photographs and property list adequately secured?

Does the hotel have a current business insurance policy?

Telephones

Are telephones pre-programmed with emergency contact numbers?

Are telephone lines tamper proof?

Is there an alternative means of contacting emergency services in the event of telephone systems being rendered inoperative?

Safes

Does the Hotel have a safe(s) installed?

Is the safe(s) securely anchored?

Is the safe(s) located out of public view?

Does the safe(s) have a drop chute facility?

Is there direct access to the safe(s)?

Is the safe(s) kept locked?

Is access to the safe(s) restricted, including keeping doors to cash areas locked at all times?

Is the safe located in an area separate from the cash area?

Is signage displayed to advise of time delay before cash can be removed from the safe?

Is the location of the safe and cash counting area excluded from any publicly displayed plan of the premises? (it should not be shown on any evacuation plan on public display)

Key & Valuables Control

Does the Hotel maintain a key register?

Are all spare keys kept in a secure area?

Are staff provided with somewhere to store their personal items?

Are there procedures in place for regular or random checks to be conducted of staff personal items when leaving the premises

Cash Handling

Does the Hotel have established cash handling procedures?

Does the Hotel have a ‘drop safe’ and if so is it easily accessible for staff?

Does the Hotel vary the banking routine?

Is a licensed company used to transport cash?

Is the cash collection route varied

Is the cash counted out of public view?

When the cash is counted are the doors kept locked?

Are tiny tellers and ATM’s cleared/refilled after hours?

Are float monies kept in the safe?

Does the Hotel have a ‘minimum cash in tills’ policy?

Are cash drawers clearly labeled (Hotel and department)?

Are cash draws locked in a secure location after hours?

Security And Crowd Controllers

Are there security staff on site?

Are security staff employed directly by the hotel or are they contractors?

For direct employees have they supplied a National Police Clearance Certificate and a copy of their Security Licence?

Are their personal references checked prior to commencing employment?

For contract security staff, are there systems in place to ensure that each contractor is licensed and approved to work in licensed premises?

Have security staff received formal security training?

Are specific security roles and other duties assigned for Security/Crowd Controllers?

Are there systems in place to ensure that Security Registers and Form 9’s are properly completed and maintained?

Are there systems in place to ensure Security staff are aware of the liquor licence conditions applicable to your hotel? (Patron capacities and any additional conditions relating to noise and disturbance).

Are all staff aware of, and have they been trained on, the Armed Robbery Prevention Kit?

Does the Hotel have policies/procedures in place regarding security incident responses e.g.: Unattended vehicles? Trespassers? Unauthorised access? Suspect packages? Removal of person and use of force

Does the Hotel have an internal procedure to report suspicious activity in the hotel and a process to escalate to police if necessary?

Security Alarm Systems

Is the building protected by a onsite security alarm system? Does this include the safe and cash counting area(s)?

Is the security alarm system monitored by a licensed security company?

Does the security alarm system have a duress facility?

Is the duress alarm(s) placed behind counters in bottleshop, bars and gaming area(s)/ Is it maintained by a security company?

Are there policies in place on how staff use and respond to the duress facility?

Are staff familiar with the procedures for turning the alarm system on and off?

Is there a register of who has been provided with the alarm codes?

Is there a process in place to disable alarm codes when staff cease employment at the hotel?

Is the system test on a regular basis to ensure it works?

Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)

Does the Hotel have CCTV equipment installed?

Are customers and staff aware through signage of the existence of the CCTV system?

Are cameras monitored? Internally or remotely?

Do the CCTV cameras cover the entrances and exits to the Hotel?

Does the Hotel have CCTV cameras covering critical areas, such as cash offices, cashiers and cash registers, and safe?

Are recorded CCTV images sufficient to identify someone? Are images capable of being transmitted electronically to police?

Is there capacity to record and store CCTV footage to cover a reasonable length of time?(see notes for what is reasonable time)

Does the CCTV equipment undergo regular maintenance to ensure the system is recording correctly/cameras are working correctly?

Are staff trained in the use of CCTV equipment and able to access and retrieve files if necessary?

Is the equipment checked to ensure that cameras have not been moved and that there are no “black spots”?

Information Security

Are confidential/important Hotel documents locked away when not in use?

Are all computers password protected?

Are computer passwords changed regularly?

Does the Hotel have computer firewall and antivirus software installed on all computers?

Are computer protection measures updated regularly?

Is critical Hotel information backed up regularly?

Communication

Does the Hotel have a Security Procedures Policy? Are staff made aware of this during their induction? Are they regularly refreshed on the Policy?

Is security documentation regularly reviewed and if necessary updated?

Do staff regularly meet to discuss security issues? Or are they encouraged to raise concerns about security? Are these concerns discussed during staff meetings/training?

Is the Hotel a member of a local Business Watch or similar group?

Does the Hotel have the contact details for the local Crime Prevention Section?

Is a senior staff member in contact with the neighbouring businesses and or residents regarding issues of security and crime that might affect the local area?

Does the hotel participate in a local liquor accord?

Are staff trained to report maintenance problems and safety concerns?

Fire Security And Evacuation

Are the fire hydrants and fire extinguishers in good working order? Are they regularly tested every 6 months by a qualified person?

Is the location of the fire extinguishers clear of obstructions and easily accessible?

Are staff aware of the fire evacuation process/assembly point? Are staff made aware of this during their induction?

Is there an evacuation plan which is practiced and are staff fully aware of their roles and responsibilities in the event of a fire?

Does the Hotel have an adequate number of fire wardens?

Is the building free from flammable and combustible waste and other materials both internally and externally that may create a fire hazard?

Is waste material stored in a manner to reduce the risk of fire in or near the building?

Does the building have an automatic fire suppression system to extinguish small fires (sprinklers)?

Are all fire doors self-closing and fitted with alarms?

Is there emergency lighting this is activated in the event of a power failure?

Are staff training in procedures to be following in the event of a bomb threat?

Are smoke alarms regularly checked and tested by a qualified person?

Are smoke alarms connected to the alarm system and is the system monitored remotely?

Have wardens been appropriately trained in their duties in the event of fire?

Hold Ups

Are staff aware of ‘CODE A’ in the event of a hold up?

Are height stickers/gauges installed at exits?

Does the Hotel have a policy in the event of a robbery? (i.e. to secure the crime scene)

Have staff received Armed Robbery prevention training?

Does the Hotel have a Victim Support Policy established?

Are staff aware of victim support services available

Work Health And Safety

Are staff aware of their obligations and rights in relation to Work Health & Safety requirements?

Are chemicals and other hazardous substances stored in appropriate places and in compliance with legislative requirements?

Completion

Comments and Recommendations

Inspector's Name and Signature

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Frequently asked questions

How can a hotel security checklist enhance guest safety?

A hotel security checklist enhances guest safety by ensuring you consistently check and maintain all critical security measures. It helps identify potential vulnerabilities, ensuring that access controls, surveillance systems, and emergency protocols are up to date and effective, providing peace of mind for guests and staff.

What should I do if a security incident occurs at my hotel?

If a security incident occurs, immediately follow your emergency response plan, ensuring guest and staff safety. Document the incident thoroughly and review the security checklist to identify any lapses. Use this information to improve security measures and prevent future occurrences.

How often should a hotel security checklist be reviewed?

Review a hotel security checklist regularly, at least monthly, to ensure all protocols remain effective and up to date. Frequent reviews help identify new vulnerabilities and ensure compliance with evolving safety standards, maintaining a secure environment for guests and staff.

What are common security challenges hotels face and how can they be addressed?

Common security challenges include unauthorized access, inadequate surveillance, and emergency preparedness. Regularly update security systems, train staff, and use a comprehensive checklist to ensure you consistently follow and improve all protocols.

This template, developed by Lumiform employees, serves as a starting point for businesses using the Lumiform platform and is intended as a hypothetical example only. It does not replace professional advice. Companies should consult qualified professionals to assess the suitability and legality of using this template in their specific workplace or jurisdiction. Lumiform is not liable for any errors or omissions in this template or for any actions taken based on its content.