Flight attendants reveal 90-second 'hotel room autopsy' that could save your life

The routine is popular among airline crew members who spend hundreds of nights in hotels each year. It includes everything from checking door locks to locating emergency exits.

"It comes from years of sleeping in strange rooms, in different countries, under different fire rules and different levels of hotel security."

First, flight attendants scan the room to make sure nobody is inside. 

They keep the door propped open to check - and also make sure that housekeeping has finished cleaning.

"I just want to familiarize myself with the space and make sure everything looks as it should," Aura Martinez, a New York-based flight attendant for 19 years, told Fox News Digital. 

"It doesn't need to become a 20-minute inspection."

Then, they inspect common hiding spots, including the bathroom, shower, bathtub, closets and behind the curtains.

"In an actual emergency, that's not when you want to be figuring out the floor plan for the first time," Brian Rooney, Texas-based travel advisor and founder of GetCruiseInfo.com, told Fox News Digital.

Martinez recommended taking it a step further.

"Know whether you turn left or right when you leave your room, approximately how far the stairwell is and, if possible, how many doors you would pass before reaching it," she said.

Flight attendants also check the locks.

They want o make sure the doors, dead bolt, security latch and windows all lock properly.

They also advise making sure the room phone is working so that they can reach the front desk or emergency services in case their cellphone isn't working.

Martinez agreed, adding, "You can be courteous and still be cautious."

Finally, experts recommend placing a portable door alarm or door wedge at the base of the door so you know if someone is trying to enter.

"A portable door alarm or wedge can provide an additional layer of reassurance, particularly for a solo traveler, but it shouldn't replace checking that the hotel's own locks work correctly," Rooney said.

Martinez also said a small flashlight is an "incredibly underrated" item to pack for your travels.

The goal is to be aware of your surroundings - not to be scared to travel, Rooney added. 

Martinez agreed, saying, "The purpose is to be prepared, not frightened."