Chapter 8 - Strangers in Your House

When I was growing up, my mother rented our spare bedrooms.   It was the 1950's and life was different.  Our big Victorian house had 5 bedrooms so there were always lots of strangers around. 

Cheesecake Farms
The Mane House

We lived near an army base and families regularly came to say good bye to soldiers being shipped overseas so our "Guest House" (as we were called) provided some of the very much needed lodgings. 

Usually our guests came as referrals from the chaplain's office on the base.  The people stayed a couple of nights, sharing the one (and only one!) bathroom in the hall.  The rooms were small, had no amenities and there was no breakfast.

When there were more guests than we had rooms, my mother even rented our rooms (with our clothes still in the closets and in the drawers) temporarily housing us on the couch and day bed in the den. There was also the "alcove" - a twin bed in a hall way nook hidden by a drape.

The locks for all the rooms used skeleton keys.  That means that any one could have opened any door with their key.  The alcove didn't even have a door to lock.  Somehow it all worked out.  Nothing ever got stolen from the rooms and no one was ever surprised by strangers entering their rooms unexpectedly.

Comfy Accommodations
The Hay Loft Suite @ the Barn

The Tack Room Suite @
The Barn

Things are different today.  Although each of your B&B rooms will have their own key, can you live with the idea of strangers in your house?  

Strangers will look at your stuff - maybe even open your cabinets and closets.  

Strangers who may take some of your things.  

Strangers who are up at night after you've gone to sleep. 

It's important to think about strangers in your house.... nice people, of course, but strangers none-the-less.

Take stock of your home for safety and security.  Something as easy as moving valuables and heirlooms to protected areas of the house where guests have no access may be enough.  Adding secure locks and privacy drapes to the inn keepers quarters will provide peace of mind.

Yes, times may have changed but, just like you, most people are honest and decent.  Even so, do a safety and security check of your B&B for the peace of mind it will provide.