International and Domestic Travel Security

[mdb]

Does anyone know where I can get my hands on a good training video regarding travel security?

[SIW Editor]

couple links to companies advising on travel security (i can't endorse these, nor have i used them, but some you might want to look into -- they may have private training video for sale for all I know).

http://www.airsecurity.com/newsite/noflash_frameset.asp

http://www.ijet.com/index.asp

Good luck,
Geoff Kohl, editor
SecurityInfoWatch.com

[Bill Warnock]

With every security plan there should be a Travel Security Appendix or Annex. Because of its length, it will be transmitted in sections. Hope you find it useful.
Enjoy the day,
Bill
k. Travel Security? Dated? Date if last update? Does it contain, as a minimum, the following? (Has management accepted its responsibility to provide adequate safety and security to employees traveling on its behalf?

(1) Does security management use the Department of State?s Overseas Security Advisory Council electronic bulletin board (http://travel.state.gov) concerning foreign safety and security issues to include airport security? Before a travel outside the US, does management provide?

(a) Consulting a travel medicine professional well before departure?

(b) Placing the international certificate of vaccination with the employee passport?

(c) Determining medical and dental health is stable?

(d) Insuring employee knows their medications and medical history?

(e) Insuring appropriate medications including antibiotics for traveler?s diarrhea and other infections suspected are properly labeled packed in carry-on luggage?

(f) Insuring employee carries extra pairs of prescription glasses and/or contact lenses?

(g) Assist employee in reviewing medical insurance to insure coverage abroad?

(h) Provide employee with a personal first-aid kit?

(i) Provide or strongly recommend packing appropriate nutritional bars?

NOTE: *The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued its first safety and health bulletin advising business travelers of health risks abroad.

The bulletin lists precautions to take when visiting developing countries, as well as warnings for those traveling to other destinations. Travelers can access these on OSHA?s Web site by visiting http://www.osha.gov/dts/tib and selecting ?Safety and Health During International Travel? in ?2002? column.

According to the US Department of Commerce, there has been a significant increase in recent years in the number of US residents visiting countries where they are at risk for contracting infectious diseases. In 1998, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 59% of such travelers had not taken any preventive medication, and 13% had not been prescribed a drug not recommended for the area to which they were traveling.

To combat the failure of travelers to receive preventive medication?resulting in unnecessary illness, medical expense and the potential spread of contagious diseases within travelers? local communities?OSHA refers readers to two other sources: Health Information for International Travel, www.cdc.gov/travel; and the US Department of State?s Web site, http://www.travel.state.gov, which offers Consular Information Sheet for every country, Public Announcements, Travel Warnings and Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad. (*Source: ?Travel,? © AAA WORLD ®, November/ December 2002 Issue)

(2) Do the travel coordinator and security management have working relationships with one or more travel agencies such as AAA® or Omega®? Have signed confidentiality agreements been executed?

(a) Are travelers issued a travel safety and security kit? If the answer is yes, does it contain, as a minimum: loose-leaf binder with site specific information and instructions, maps with highlighted directions, cellular telephone (preprogrammed for 911), flashlight, supplementary door locking device, portable smoke detector, personal escape hood, and portable door alarm? If the answer is no, explain why not?

1 Are travelers reminded not to drink water served or dispensed on airlines or to drink beverages containing ice cubes? This advisory is issued because water and ice cubes have been found to contain high levels of contaminates.

2 When traveling from their lodging location for dining or entertainment, are travelers reminded to travel in pairs or small groups? If not, explain why not? Are all travelers reminded never drink a beverage that has been left unattended? If not, explain why not? Advice: Always order a fresh beverage, no exceptions!

3 Are female travelers reminded when they receive a phone call from an alleged lodging employee concerning a room problem the traveler did not report, to act as though there were someone else in the with them? Are they further instructed to contact lodging management to verify the call with the calling party?s name? If not, explain why not?

4 Are travelers reminded they should never open their door to anyone whom they do not know without first checking with lodging management? Are they further instructed if there is any doubt, not open the door, and if necessary to notify local law enforcement? If not, explain why not?

NB: The purposes of these procedures are to reduce incidents of in room rapes or assaults by criminals frequenting the facility and/or by lodging employees.

5 Are all travelers, especially female travelers, reminded to check the walls and mirrors for signs of visual invasion? Place a finger against a mirror in many locations. If the finger is not reflected back, the mirror may have been transformed into a viewing device from another room. Remember: ?No Space, leave the Place!? (Source: Entismorus@aol.com) Check for holes in the wall especially across from the bathroom or bed. A hole may provide a view from another room. If this is the case, the traveler should request another room and advise hotel/motel security of their observations.

6 Are travelers reminded to look under a vehicle as they approach it to insure would be assailants are not hiding under the vehicle? If not, explain why not?

(b) When travelers frequently visit the same city or location, are they always lodged in the same hotel or motel? Why? Is security management aware of such arrangements? If not, explain why not?

(c) If travelers are always lodged in the same hotel or motel, are they booked into the same rooms? Why? Suspicion should be raised that audio and visual surveillance could be conducted.

(d) Are prostitutes or escort service personnel known to frequent the hotel or motel? Is security management aware of such involvement? If so, are there any counterintelligence or blackmail implications? Any documented?

(e) Are there documented industrial espionage incidents or cases stemming from liaisons in the hotel or motel? Both male and female prostitutes have been known to use nipple rouge containing an anesthetic, drugging the unsuspecting traveler. Security management should not underestimate the Sexpionage or sputnik threats!

(3) Are employees encouraged to carry only traveler?s checks? Does the corporation pay service charges?

[Bill Warnock]

(4) To the maximum extent possible, consistent with sound business practices, when foreign travel is involved, does security management insist on the use of US flagged carriers with proven security and safety records?

(5) Does security management insist on the use of financially sound carriers (air, rail, and road)?

(6) When organic travel assets are involved, is all travel, except local, coordinated with security management?

(7) Are travel itineraries coordinated with security management in all instances? Any exceptions?

(8) Prior to departure does security management provide the traveler with up-to-date FACTUAL travel information relating to security issues and conditions?

(9) Does security management provide the traveler with airport etiquette information?

(10) Does security management instruct the traveler to limit the packing of luggage to himself or herself, personal valet, or an immediate family member?

(11) Does security management instruct the traveler to maintain positive personal control of all baggage while traveling to and from airports, train stations or bus terminals?

(a) *Does security management, in cooperation with airport police, instruct the traveler on diversionary tactics used by baggage thieves to steal their baggage especially while in airline check in queues, at security screening points, at telephone kiosks, in restrooms, in departure lounges and at baggage claim areas? (Always remember security screeners are trained to detect prohibited items in luggage and on persons, not baggage thieves.) (Source: Air Transport Association® Security Symposium, April 24-25, 1991, Miami, Florida)

*(b) Security tips for air travelers

Pack Smart

Plan Ahead - Pack Smart

Carry-on Baggage is a small piece of luggage you take onboard the airplane with you. You are allowed one carry-on in addition to one personal item such as a laptop computer, purse, small backpack, and briefcase or camera case.

Check Baggage is luggage you check in at the ticket counter or at curbside. It will not be accessible during your flight.

DO NOT LOCK YOUR BAG‼ In some cases, the TSA will have to open your baggage as part of the screening process. If your bag is unlocked, then TSA will simply open the bag and screen the bag. However, if the bag is locked and TSA need to open your bag, then locks may have to be broken. Therefore, TSA suggests that you help prevent the need to break your locks by keeping your bag unlocked. In the near future, TSA will provide seals at the airport for you to use to secure your luggage as an alternative to locking your bag. Until that time, you may want to consider purchasing standard cable ties to secure your bag if it has zippers. If TSA screeners open your bag during the screening procedure, they will close it with security seal. In addition, TSA will place a notice in your bag alerting you to the fact that TSA screeners opened your bag for inspection. Our highly trained screeners will take great care to secure your bag for the rest of our trip.

Below are a number of tips for packing your checked baggage that will help to speed your trip and ensure that your check bag makes the flight with you.

?Don?t put film in your checked baggage, as the screening equipment will damage it. Considerputtingpersonalbelongingsinclearplasticbag storeducethechancethataTSAscreenerwill have to handle them.
Pack shoes, boots, sneakers and other footwear on top of other contents in your baggage.
Avoid over-packing your bag so that the screener will be able to easily reseal your bag if it is opened for inspection. If possible, spread your contents over several bags. Check with your airline or travel agent for maximum weight limitations.
Avoid packing food and drink items in checked baggage.
Don?t stack piles of books or documents on top of each other; spread them out within your baggage.

You can move through the screening process more quickly by following these packing tips:
Do NOT pack or bring prohibited items to the airport.
Put all underdeveloped film and cameras with film in your carry-on baggage. Checked baggage screening equipment will damage underdeveloped film.
Check ahead of time with your airline or travel agent to determine the airline?s baggage policy, including number of pieces you can bring and size and weight limitations.
Carry-on baggage is limited to one carry-on bag plus one personal item. Personal items include laptops, purses, small backpacks, briefcases or camera cases. Remember, 1+1.
Don?t forget to place identification tags with your name, address and phone number on all of your baggage, including your laptop computer. It is a good idea to place an identification tag inside your baggage as well.
Avoid over packing so that articles don?t spill out if your bag is opened for inspection.
Think carefully about the personal items you place in your carry-on baggage. The screeners may have to open your bag and examine its contents.
Wait to wrap your gifts. Be aware that wrapped gifts may need to be opened for inspection. This applies to both carry-on and checked baggage.

Final Checklist

Before You Arrive - Final Checklist

Check with your airline or travel agent to determine how early to arrive at the airport. Recommended check-in times differ by airline.

To determine whether you should go to the ticket counter or check-baggage screening area first. Not all airports are the same since the addition of check-baggage screening. Curbside check-in may also be available.
If you do not have checked baggage and you already have a boarding pass, ticket or ticket confirmation, you can proceed directly to your gate through the security checkpoint. Please note that certain airlines do not offer gate check-in.

Check with your airport

to confirm which parking lots are open if you will be parking at the airport. Some lots may be closed for security reasons. Be sure to allow extra time for parking and shuttle transportation.

At the airport
Do not leave your car unattended in front of the terminal. Security measures dictate that unattended cars will be towed.
Watch your bags and personal belongings at all times. Do not accept packages from strangers. If you see unattended bags or packages anywhere in the airport terminal or parking area, immediately report them to a security officer or other authority.
Report any suspicious activities or individuals in the airport or parking lot to airport security.
Do not joke about having a bomb or firearm. Do not discuss terrorism, weapons, explosives, or other threats while going through the security checkpoint. The mere mention of words such as "gun," "bomb," etc., can compel security personnel to detain and question you. They are trained

[Bill Warnock]

to consider these comments as real threats.
Check to make sure you
bring a boarding pass, ticket, or ticket confirmation, such as a printed itinerary and a government-issued photo ID. Children under the age of 18 do not require an ID.
bring evidence verifying you have a medical implant or other device if it is likely to set off the alarm on the metal detector, bring evidence verifying this condition. Although this is not a requirement, it may help to expedite the screening process.
Have removed prohibited items such as pocketknives, scissors and tool from your carry-on baggage.
Be Prepared ? Dress the Part
Be aware that any metal detected at the checkpoint must be identified. If you set off the alarm, you will be required to undergo secondary screening, including a hand-held metal detector and a pat-down inspection
You can remove metal items at the security checkpoint and place them in the bins provided. The bins will be sent through the X-ray machine. You can save time; however, by not wearing metal items or by placing such items in your carry-on baggage before you get in line.
TIP: Avoid wearing clothing, jewelry, or other accessories that contain metal when traveling.
Jewelry (pins, necklaces, bracelets, rings, watches, earrings, body piercing, cuff links, lanyard or bolo tie).
Shoes with steel tips (safety shoes), heels, shanks, buckles or nails.
Clothing with metal buttons, snaps or studs.
Metal hair barrettes or other hair decoration
Belt buckles.
Under-wire brassieres.

Hidden items such as body piercing may result in a pat-down inspection. They may asked to remove your body piercing in private as an alternative to the pat-down search.

TIP: Avoid placing metal items in your pockets.

Keys, loose change and lighters.
Mobile phones, pagers and personal digital assistants (PDAs).

TIP: Instead, place jewelry and other metal items in your carry-on baggage until you clear security.

TIP: Pack your outer coat or jacket in your baggage when possible.

Outer coats including trench coats, ski jackets, leather jackets, overcoats and parkas must go through the X-ray machine for inspection. If you choose to wear an outer coat to the checkpoint, you will need to either place it in your carry-on or put it in the bin that is provided for you. You will not need to remove suit jackets or blazers unless requested by the screener.
In an effort to try and better educate the air traveler and expedite the travel experience, the FAA has created a list of security tips for air travelers. It includes such items as what you cannot bring in carry-on luggage, as well as tips on checking in.

PERMITTED AND PROHIBITED ITEMS

Prohibited items are weapons, explosives, and incendiaries and include items that are seemingly harmless but may be used as weapons?the so-called ?dual use? items. You may not bring these items to security checkpoints without authorization.

If you bring a prohibited item to the checkpoint, you may be criminally and/or civilly prosecuted or, at the least, asked to rid yourself of the item. A screener and/or Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) will make this determination, depending on what the item is and the circumstances. This is because bringing a prohibited item to a security checkpoint?even accidentally?is illegal.

For updates and for more information, visit TSA?s website at www.TSATravelTips.us or call the Consumer Response Center toll-tree at 1-866-289-9673 or email TellTSA@tsa.dot.gov

(12) Does security management instruct the traveler concerning the theft of PCs while undergoing security screening? (PCs should be packed in carry-on baggage within a Faraday enclosure.)

(13) Does security management instruct the traveler to contact airport security or police if they believe their luggage has been tampered with? Contraband or prohibited items could have been smuggled into the luggage!

(14) Does security management provide the traveler with personal or family assault, hostage and hijack training? Have the curricula vitae of the instructors been verified? Remember ?training for error? and ?cognitive set error.?

(15) Does security management provide nondescript business cards and luggage ID tags using the travel agency?s business address and business account number to all travelers? Are ID tags placed inside each piece of baggage for swift identification should exterior identification be destroyed? By using your home address you are advertising to the world you are not home. This leaves your family and property vulnerable. In a similar fashion, a business address invites a telephone call to the business seeking information on your whereabouts and date of return. Administrative staff and coworkers and family members must be instructed to take a message and telephone number regardless of how persuasive or demanding the caller is or becomes. Reports of purported emergencies should be referred to security management. There should be no exceptions! Extensive documentation exists proving luggage handlers, bellhops, and limo and taxi drivers have sold traveler?s information to burglary rings.

(16) Does security management utilize CAP Index® or a similar firm providing risk assessment?

(17) Does security management maintain copies of the front page of all employee passports? Does each traveler maintain a similar copy separate from the passport?

(18) Does security management conduct a formal debriefing of all employees upon return from travel? If hard intelligence is developed, are the proper authorities immediately notified? Coordination maintained with counterparts?

(19) Does security or safety management insure that when employees are lodged in hotels or motels more than three stories high such facilities are equipped with sprinkler systems? (Government and/or contract employees will not be reimbursed in accordance with the Hotel/Motel Fire Safety Act of 1990 (29 CFR 1900-1999) if such facilities are not sprinklered.)

(20) Does security or safety management insure that disabled employees are lodged only in hotels or motels having an active program for the safe evacuation of disabled visitors and otherwise ADA compliant? What method was used to verify the quality and quantity of special needs for their employees? Was the information provided corroborated by the local fire department or other appropriate safety agency?

(21) Does security or safety management provide fire safety information to travelers concerning actions to take in case of a hotel or motel fire? What is the adequacy of such information, if provided? If no information is provided, explain why not? (Recommend the issuance of the ?©Fire Safety Manual? published by the ©National Safety Council®, 444 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611 or www.nsc.org)

(22) Does security management brief employees concerning telephone credit card scams such as shoulder surfing or simulated dial tones when using pay phones? Employees should be instructed to use, whenever possible phones with swipe readers to defeat or otherwise mitigate

[Bill Warnock]

shoulder surfing threat. In all instances, to defeat the simulated dial tone scam is to instruct employees to lift the receiver, hand up, wait 15 seconds, and then make their call. (Source: ?©The Back Page,? by John Fay, Volume 9, Number 9, September 1999, Security Technology and Design Magazine®.)

(23) Does the company have kidnap and ransom insurance plans for its travelers? Is the insurer registered and licensed with and by the State Attorney General or Secretary of Commerce as a legitimate insurance provider for the kinds of insurance coverage being provided? Is the insurance plan good outside the US? If not, explain why not?

(24) Has the security management briefed employees on credit card ?skimming,? the electronic lifting of the full track data encoded on the magnetic stripe of a valid card and transferring that data to another magnetic stripe on a counterfeit card? Careful study of both corporate and private credit cards must be the rule of the day in all instances. (Source: Security Hot Sheet ?©Who Am I?? by Sandy Jaeger, Volume 10, Number 6, June 2000, Security Technology and Design® Magazine.)

(25) *Security in the workplace regarding voice mail or e-mail messaging is often overlooked. When out of town or on a vacation, never leave a voicemail or automatic e-mail message like "I'm on vacation in Italy for two weeks and I can't take your call." A better message would be "I am temporarily out of the office and unavailable to return calls, contact another extension for more immediate assistance." Thieves and even co-workers often look for this kind of information for easy targets. A recent study showed that 18 percent of working drug users stole from co-workers in order to support their habit. (*Source: ?Security Tip of the Week,? James R. Black, CPP project manager of Engineered Automation Systems, © Security Products E-News ®, 04-03-02.)

(26) *When staying in a hotel, place all valuables in a safety deposit box at the front desk. Every state has an innkeepers' statute limiting their liability for missing items. If a valuable item comes up missing in your room, you may end up paying for it yourself. Hotels have several sizes to accommodate both large and small valuables. (Source: *Security Tip of the Week, Chris Richardson, director of loss prevention for Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, © Security Products E-News ®, 04-10-02)

(27) *Never leave your garage door opener on your visor when you valet your car locally or at a "park and fly" location when traveling. The vehicle registration in your glove compartment contains your address and the garage door opener provides easy access. (*Source: Dr. "Isabel" Perry, of thesafetydoctor.com, ?Security Tip of the Week,? © Security Products E-News ®, 04-24-02)

(28) *When traveling, do not put large amounts of money or a photo ID in your wallet. Put enough money in your wallet for the day's expenses and the rest in a pouch strapped to your body under your clothes. Do not display large amounts of money. Do not place luggage or purchased items behind you while waiting for a taxi or bus, or talking to someone. Instead, put them in front of you and hold them with one hand. (*Source: ?Security Tip of the Week,?Gil Fernando of SMC Corp. of America in Los Angeles, © Security Products E-News ®, 08-21-02)

(29) *"As part of my duties, I travel to various cities for training. Once I have performed the initial survey of [the hotel's] stairwell locations, emergency exits, etc., I survey the layout of the furniture in my room in case I have to move around or leave in the dark. I also check the window design and height from the ground or lower roofs in case that is the only exit.

Prior to turning in for the night, I ensure that the door is closed and locked, apply the chain or swing bar and place my set of keys balancing on top of the interior door handle. That way, should anyone try the door, the keys will fall and hopefully wake a very sound sleeper." (*Source: Paul Hackerson, Security Coordinator, Rockford Housing Authority, Rockford, Illinois, ?Security Tip of the Week,? © Security Products E-News ®, 09-09-03)

(30) *The State Department offers hotel security tips for Americans traveling abroad -- tips that also may be applied to domestic travel, corporate and personal travel as well.

Making reservations
Make your own reservations when practical and consistent with company policies. The fewer people involved in your travel and lodging arrangements, the better.
If traveling abroad, especially in politically sensitive areas, consider making reservations using your employer's street address, without identifying the company, and using your personal credit card.
If arriving after 6 p.m., ensure that reservations are guaranteed.
Request information about parking arrangements if anticipating renting an automobile. Be aware that credit card information has been compromised in the past.
Arriving at or departing from the hotel

Do not linger or wander unnecessarily in the parking lot, indoor garage or public space around the hotel. Be alert for suspicious people and behavior. Watch for distractions that are intentionally staged to setup a pickpocket, luggage theft or purse snatch.
Stay with your luggage until it is brought into the lobby or placed into the taxi.
Consider using the bellman. Luggage in the "care, custody and control" of the hotel causes the hotel to be liable for your property. Protect claim checks -- they are your evidence.
Keep in mind though that there are limits of liability created by states and countries to protect hoteliers. Personal travel documents, laptops, jewelry, and other valuables and sensitive documents in excess of $l, 000 in value should be hand-carried and personally protected.

If you arrive by auto, park as close to a hotel access point as possible, and park in a lighted area. Remove all property from the car interior and place it in the trunk. Avoid leaving valuables or personal documents in the glove compartment.

If using valet service, leave only the ignition key, and take trunk, house or office keys with you. Avoid dimly lit garages that are not patrolled and do not have security telephones or intercoms.
Registration
If the hotel for review by the police or other authorities, which is policy in some countries, may temporarily hold your passport obtain its return at the earliest possible time.
If carrying your luggage, keep it within view or touch. One recommendation is to position luggage against your leg during registration but place a briefcase or a purse on the desk or counter in front of you.

Always accept bellman assistance upon check-in. Allow the bellman to open the room, turn lights on, and check the room to ensure that it is vacant and ready for your stay. Before dismissing the bellman, always inspect the door lock, locks on sliding glass doors, optical viewer, privacy latch or chain, guest room safes, dead bolt lock on interconnecting suite door and telephone. If a discrepancy is found, request a room change.

Ask where the nearest fire stairwell is located. Make note of which direction you must turn and approximately how many steps there are to the closest fire stairwell. Also, observe where the

[Bill Warnock]

nearest house telephone is located in case of an emergency. Determine if the telephone is configured in such a manner that anyone can dial a guest room directly, or whether the phone is connected to the switchboard. Most security-conscious hotels require a caller to identify whom they are attempting to telephone rather than providing a room number.

Note how hotel staff are uniformed and identified. Many crimes occur when people misrepresent themselves as hotel employees on house telephones to gain access to guest rooms. Avoid permitting a person into the guest room unless you have confirmed that the person is authorized to enter. This can be verified by using the optical viewer and by calling the front desk.

Upon arrival

Invest in a good map of the city. Mark significant points on a map such as your hotel, embassies and police stations. Study the map and make a mental note of alternative routes to your hotel or local office should your map become lost or stolen.

Be aware of your surroundings. Look up and down the street before exiting a building.

Learn how to place a telephone call and how to use the coin telephones. Make sure you always have extra coins for the telephone.

Keep your luggage locked whenever you are out of the room. It will not stop the professional thief, but it will keep the curious maid honest.

Keep your passport with you at all times. Relinquish it only to the hotel if required by law when registering or if you are required to identify yourself to local authorities for any reason.

Around the hotel

Note if hotel security locks certain access points after dark. Plan to use the main entrance upon return to the property.

Speak with the bellman, concierge and front desk regarding safe areas around the city in which to jog, dine or sightsee. Ask about local customs and which taxi companies to use or avoid.

Keep briefcases, wallets and purses in view or "in touch" while using phones and in hotel bars and restaurants. Criminals often use areas around public areas to stage pickpocket activity or theft. Caution is urged in safeguarding telephone credit card numbers. Criminals wait for callers to announce credit card numbers on public phones and then sell the numbers for unauthorized use. (*Source: ?News Brief,? © Security Products ®, 10-23-03)

(31) *The do's and don'ts of hotel security
Hotel guests rarely think of hotel security as an amenity. Whether you check into a Ritz-Carlton or a Holiday Inn Express, you expect that you and your belongings will be safe. But that's not always the case.
"When you travel, you'd better give security a thought," Chris McGoey, a California-based hotel security expert, tells The Chicago Tribune. "You don't bring your expensive jewelry and leave it in your room. You put it in the room safe or the hotel safe. Or you don't bring a laptop and just leave it in the room. I carry mine with me, put it in my car which has an alarm system, or I put it in the hotel safe."
McGoey says there are several things hotel guests can do to protect their valuables.
"Just don't stick valuables in a drawer or under your underwear. That's the first place a thief will look. If you are a frequent traveler, you have to be prepared. Bring luggage that's lockable and a cable device to lock your luggage to a heavy piece of furniture," he says.
Hotels and motels, of course, bear some responsibility for thefts of a guest's property, but that liability varies from state to state. Hotel guests also take the following simple precautions to contribute to their own safety:
*don?t take a room next to an elevator, an emergency staircase or at the corner of a building. Also avoid rooms on the first three floors because they get hit the most.
*when you leave the room and don't expect the housekeeper to come in, put a do-not-disturb sign on the door knob, leave the TV set on just loud enough to hear through the door and leave a light on that can be seen through the peephole. (*Source: ?Security Beat Newsletter,? © Access Control and Security Systems ®, 08-23-05)