Traveling to distant places and staying there for more than a day means that we have to rent a place to stay. As if worrying about unchanged bed sheets wasn't bad enough, it seems that we have to be wary about hidden cameras now as well. Here are a couple of ways you can check, for peace of mind.
Check the Items That Might Hide Them
If you watch enough spy-themed movies or shows, you know how easy it is to conceal a camera through unsuspecting items. Check for things that seem like they shouldn't be in the room. If you're staying at a hotel, for instance, maybe stuffed toys shouldn't be lying around.
There are actually toys that are used as nanny cams, but that can easily be repurposed to spy on unsuspecting guests. You can go ahead and check the books on the shelves as well since anyone can hollow them out and place a camera inside.
Even if there are no suspicious items in the room or house, you're still not in the clear as they can also be hidden in items you can usually find in any place such as outlets, smoke detectors, clocks, lamps, and even simple wall decorations.
Use Your Smartphone Camera
The naked eye cannot see infrared light being emitted by devices. However, phone cameras do, so they can serve as a detection tool if you don't have actual devices that are meant to detect infrared. To make sure that your smartphone can detect such light, you should test it first.
Find a remote, which you'll likely have in the place you're staying in for the TV or other appliances. Point your camera at the small bulb at the tip of the remote as it is the part that transmits the signal to the device it's connected to.
You'll have to press a button (anything will do) as you point the camera at it, and if it works, you'll see a faint white or purple light. The same kind of light is emitted from most cameras if they are active, which means that you can locate a hidden one through this method.
If the room is huge and you don't really have the time to scan every surface of it closely, you can shut off the light to see it more clearly. It will work better if you do so with the windows covered or during nighttime.
Read Also: Airbnb Relaunches Rooms for Rent as a Cheaper Option for Travelers
Look for Other Faint Lights
Do you notice how some webcams have a small LED light on when it's being used? The same goes for select hidden cameras as well. If by chance the camera does emit some kind of light, you'll be able to see it if the room is as dark as you can make it. With that said, you should also do this at night for the best results.
Check the Mirrors
Even if the mirror is not attached or built into the wall, you should still check whether it's a two-way mirror as cameras can be built so thinly that it won't be obvious behind it. To do so, place the tip of your finger on the mirror. If there's a GAP between the reflection, it's NOT a two-way mirror.
Related: Airbnb Docu Series to Focus on Team Handling Hidden Camera Incidents, Scammers, and More
