Traveling can be stressful: you won’t necessarily know enough of the language to get by, you’re dependent on strangers even for food and shelter, and very likely the airline will find a reason to send your luggage to Djibouti.

In fact, more than one of us have felt that we need a vacation just to recover from our last vacation. For the most part, this is only a result of frustration and weariness. Occasionally, though, medical emergencies, encountering scam artists, experiencing culture clashes, and falling victim to crime do happen. The consequences can range from “we’ll laugh about this someday” to terrifying.

This isn’t to say that visiting foreign shores isn’t rewarding most of the time. Whether abroad for business or pleasure, though, it’s always a good idea to take reasonable precautions. Buying insurance is a must, while emailing yourself copies of all travel documents and checking in with your country’s embassy can save you a ton of trouble.

There’s also the matter of staying in some sort of housing where you’re definitely not in control. Now, 99% of hotel employees and guests are probably honest, but theft from supposedly locked rooms and even safes does happen. Who really has access to the keys, and how can you be sure of this? Knowing that somebody is able to enter your room while you’re sleeping is hardly conducive to a good night’s rest.

This little gadget neatly solves this problem: small enough to fit into a pocket or purse, it can be temporarily installed on most doors within seconds by even the most mechanically inept person. Once fitted, it stops anyone from getting in unless they physically destroy the door.

Sadly, this only works when you are in the room – it’s a good safeguard against a robbery or a maid wandering in while you’re in the shower, but it won’t protect your belongings while you’re out and about. This is a serious drawback when dodgy lodgings are all you’re able to afford, but we still like this cute little device for its innovative design, affordable price, and the peace of mind it offers. Mothers of college students and backpackers will love it!