(This is the fifth of a series of articles regarding security of collectibles.)

After September 11, 2001, the Hotel Industry recognized the urgency of making their properties more secure for their guests and employees.  The Marriott Corporation had a property at “Ground Zero”, a hotel next to the World Trade Center in New York City, occupied by over 1,000 guests and employees.  After the planes struck, the preplanned evacuation plans developed by the Hotel and the Port Authority went into immediate action.  Miraculously, of the over 1,000 people inside the hotel, only 14 people died or were unaccounted for.  This was not by chance; it was due to the outstanding planning and execution of those plans that so many lives were saved. 

Many large industry hotels now have developed a concept known as a “Threat Matrix”.  You will most likely not be thoroughly briefed on all the security aspects of a particular hotel you are planning to stay in, but, with your own simple security plan, you can prevent yourself from becoming a nameless statistic. 

As I have previously stressed, most security can be addressed and then developed into four categories: operational security, perimeter security, external security and interior security.

Operational security would be the way you operate or your “mode of operation.” You need to ask yourself; “What kind of target am I presenting?"  Perimeter security is the immediate area near the target...you and your valuables.  As an example, near your hotel, the area that you can physically observe in all four directions would be considered the perimeter. External security may be considered the outside shell or walls of your hotel. Internal security would be inside your room or anywhere you can physically touch your coins.  Your objective should be to try to think of ways you can manage the risks and reduce the vulnerabilities in each of these four areas.

Security is a personal responsibility.  Your security is not the responsibility of the police, politicians, government or the hotel you are staying in.  Yes, they all do what they can to minimize your risk and their liability, but they do not have the means or intention to protect every citizen.  Unless you are willing to cast your fate and life to the wind, your first line of security is you.    

When you are considering security in hotels, motels and resorts, there are three primary areas of potential risks to you. I have listed them in the order of decreasing likelihood of happening to you

1.Fire or Catastrophic Event

2.Burglary/theft and Robbery.

3.Assault/rape

Does size and age matter?   Yes!  Information gathered in a recent survey for the American Hotel & Lodging concerning the risks of fire and theft rated hotels averaged 66% out of a possible of 100 on a safety index, and 60% out of a possible 100 on a security index.  These same figures jumped into the 80s percentile when hotels were less than 14 years old and had 150 or more usable rooms.

What can you do to improve your own personal security in these three areas?

Fire or Catastrophic Event in Hotels/Motels:

The National Fire and Protection Association reports that there is a hotel structure fire every 55 seconds in the United States.  These are real fires that require a fire department to dispatch a fire truck or a company of firemen.  Needless to say, this risk to your security must be addressed during every stay you or your family makes while traveling. 

Operational:

Even before September 11, 2001, the hotel industry had begun to improve loss prevention in their properties.  After September 11, they began to take even more seriously.  Employee background checks, security planning, emergency training and drills are now the norm.  The larger chains have crisis management teams who can be immediately activated. When making a reservation, if possible, I request that my room be on the second or third floor.  If this is not possible, I insist on a room no higher than the sixth floor.  Why?  I figure that in the event of a fire, I can jump from the second floor without injury.  If I am forced to drop from the third, I might only suffer a couple of broken ankles.  The equipment from only a few of the best equipped fire and rescue departments can reach above the sixth floor, and in large cities, none can reach above the tenth floor.  If I am on any floor above that, I figure I’m toast.  The bad news is that with all my travel, I have a preferred status with nearly every major hotel chain, and, with it, access to the preferred “12^th Floor Concierge level”.  Due to my borderline paranoia about security, however, I will most likely not be able to enjoy such lavish luxuries.

Always prepare travel and emergency files to be left at your home or office.  The travel file can include as much detail as possible about your current travel plans and can be updated with each trip.  Your emergency file should be more permanent, containing important information such as the your health records, eyeglass prescription, current medicines you are taking, important telephone numbers, names and address of relatives and a special code and password.  This can be life essential, especially if your travel internationally.  Be sure to let a friend or family member know, that in an emergency, they can help you by referring to the file.

Perimeter:

Buy a good map of the city you will be visiting before you leave home.  Upon arriving, do a drive-by visual inspection of the hotel property.  Mark significant points on the map such as your hotel, embassies and police stations.  Study the map and make mental notes about locations you plan on going to from your hotel.  If you have a sense that the hotel is not right or may not be safe, find another.  Trust your instincts.  As with most living creatures, this sense can be developed and sensitized. 

External:

Spend some time walking around the hotel and getting familiar with it.  Make note especially about the locations of doors, corridors, alleys and avenues of escape.  Play a “what if” game with yourself to prepare for possible catastrophes.  This is especially important if you are traveling in a foreign country where the building and fire codes are more lax or may not exist at all. 

Internal:

The first thing to do after you have arrived in your room, before you even settle in, is to locate the nearest fire exits to your room.  (They are normally posted on the entrance door and are seldom read by anyone but the fire marshal during his inspection).  Then take your key and physically locate the exits.  Picture yourself on your hands and knees with your eyes closed, successfully locating them.  Be sure to note any fire alarms, extinguishers or fire hoses.  When you get to the exit, open the door and make sure it is not locked or blocked in any way.  If it is blocked or has an alarm on it, call hotel security and have them meet you to ensure you will not be trapped.  By the way, when you enter a fire exit, make sure you are not going to be trapped inside the stairwell.

Now do follow the same procedure for a secondary escape or backup route should the fire prevent you from exiting via the first route.

When you get back to your room, check out the window and decide whether you could hang from the window and drop to the ground without breaking your neck.  Then you should make sure the room has a working smoke detector.  Again, call hotel security if you have any questions about the smoke detector’s operability.  Then study the fan in the room so you will know how to turn it off.  In addition, think about how you would seal off the vents to prevent them from delivering deadly smoke to your room from the air system.  Then place your cell phone, room key and a small travel flashlight on the nightstand, ready for immediate emergency access.     

Now you can sit back and relax in your home away from home.

What will you do in the event of fire?

At the first sound of an alarm, get dressed with your shoes on, not in that terry-cloth bathrobe your hotel placed for you in the bathroom and your favorite fluffy bunny slippers.  Cover up to protect yourself from fire, not to hide your pajamas from strangers.  Do not wait until you see smoke or flames.  By the time you see them you may be charcoal.  Quickly soak a towel in water for each person in the room.  Use the bathtub faucet since there is usually more water pressure there.  Grab your room key, eyeglasses, flashlight and cell phone.  Leave everything else.  Touch the door to see if it is hot and open it slowly.  If there is pressure, or if the hall is filled with thick smoke, close it and prepare your room for survival.  If there is no smoke or pressure on the door, move quickly to your primary exit.  Stay close to the walls so others running down the hall will not trample you.  Should you encounter smoke, drop to your knees where the air is less smoky.  Do not use an elevator since it might deliver you to the center of the fire.

In most cases, you should be able to escape the fire, but if you must return to your room or are unable to evacuate it, plan to survive in your room.  Collect all the water you can in the bathtub and sink, and use the ice bucket to bail water onto the walls to cool them.  Make sure that you use wet towels to block all areas where outside air can penetrate your room.  If your window opens, crack only a small seal to get fresh air as needed.  Break it only as a last resort.  As for jumping, if you are over the third floor, forget it.  If the phone works, phone the fire department, and let them know your room number and the floor you are on.  Also hang a sheet from your window to draw attention to rescuers.  Try to stay calm and conserve your energy: you just might need it later to survive.

Burglary/theft and Robbery in Hotels/Motels:

Operational:

Make your own reservations whenever possible.  Make them in a discrete manner, and do not give out information about your reservations.  The fewer people who become involved in your travel and lodging arrangements, the better.  Use a post office box for your address, and do not identify your company or organization.  Alter your routine travel plans whenever possible to avoid showing an easily recognizable pattern or your personal mode of operation.  When making your reservation, consider the kind of door locks and the construction of the doors.  Are they solid core types with peepholes?  What kind of lighting is in the parking areas?  Are there in-house security personnel? Do they use security cameras?  Are there electronic keyed room safes, or are there lock boxes at the front desk? Is your hotel is in a high crime area?  If there are lots of places to stay, why compromise your own security?

Do not book rooms on a ground floor, especially with sliding glass windows or doors.  Few can provide any security, unless specially prepared.  Think through and plan to always keep your valuables with you, without leaving them unattended, even for a moment.  Alcohol should be avoided when transporting, carrying or traveling with valuables.  Avoid it completely.  A bandit needs only a tiny edge to gain an advantage.  Do not hand them one on a silver platter.  If you use alcohol, moderation is the key when you are traveling.

Go through your luggage and baggage to ensure that all the identification labels show only your business address and not your home address.  It is best to use only your name, not the company, school or firm you represent. If you are female, use only your first initial, unless your name is gender non-specific.  

Perimeter:

When you do your drive-by visual inspection of the hotel property, trust your instincts. As with most living creatures, this sense can be developed and sensitized. If you have a sense that this hotel might not be safe, find another. Numerous times a dealer or collector at a coin show has told me that the hotel or motel property where they were staying was unsafe.  When I ask if they moved, they usually say, "No, we had already unpacked."  Saving $20 on the room expense while risking your security is bad economics. 

Most robberies of jewelry or coins occur in parking lots, alleys, parks, public transportation centers, financial institutions and retail stores.  If you are involved in a robbery, statistics report that two-thirds of the criminals will be armed with some sort of weapon.  If the robber only wants your money or valuables, by all means let the robber or mugger have them.  Do not resist, do not scream, but cooperate with the robber.  Assume the weapon is real and will be used on you if you do not cooperate.  Try instead to get as detailed a description as you can of your assailant.  Always carry some small bills with a $20 bill on top.  Have it available to give to a possible robber or mugger.  If accosted, you will have something to give up.  A twenty and a few other smaller bills may satisfy most robbers, especially if they are supporting a drug habit. Immediately report the incident to the police and hotel security.

External:

If possible, park your own car and unload your items personally, making only one trip.  If this is not practical, always keep your valuables with you.  Remember, often hotel valet parking attendants are not employees of the hotel and are private contractors working for an outside firm.  If you use a valet to park your car, leave only the ignition key with the attendant. If you are at a motor hotel/motel, do not park your car directly in front of your room, even if it means a longer walk.

When checking in, be sure to keep your luggage with you.  Guests are usually not focused on their luggage at this time, and the thieves know it.  Most luggage theft occurs between your departure from your surface transportation and before your arrival at your room.  Watch for distractions that are intentionally staged to setup a luggage or purse theft or a pickpocket.  If you have given your luggage to a bellman, be sure to receive a claim check.   Now your luggage is in the “care, custody and control” of the hotel, and they are liable for them, even though it is for a limited amount. 

Hotel lobby safe deposit boxes and in-room safes can provide a minimum level of security.  They are not, foolproof, however, since there could be, and probably are, many duplicate keys to your assigned lock box.  Even with those concerns, it is still better than leaving valuables in a vacant room.  However, not all hotel safes are an effective determent to theft from a dishonest hotel employee.  Recently a hotel security officer in one of the more expensive properties in Naples, Florida was charged for grand theft of over $100,000 worth of cash and jewelry from room safes after using his security keys to gain access to room safes.

Request a room that is not next to a stairwell or across from or near an elevator where people can observe you entering or exiting your room.  After you have been given a room number, do not give your room number to anyone you do not know well. Front desk personnel are trained not to say your room number aloud, only to write it down on a card or paper.  Do not voice your room number until you are checking out.   Ask the front desk people if there are security personnel at the property, and, if so, their location and phone number.

Internal:

The single greatest deterrent to theft in hotel/motels are the newest forms of electronic locks.  Those little plastic slide cards that turn on a green light to enter have contributed more to loss prevention in hotel/ motel properties than any other single improvement.  They are re-keyed with each new guest, making duplicating a metal key obsolete to theft.  The newer systems also record the time of entry and the exact key used for entry, thus restricting unauthorized entrance.  This has reduced internal and external theft greatly.  It has also reduced the number of false allegations and claims of theft made by guests against hotel staff and outsiders.  Prostitutes both male and female, take advantage of travelers all over America and throughout the world.  Many use various ploys and use “knockout” drugs.  Many thefts are unreported, but some guests make false allegations that a hotel employee or a cat burglar somehow robbed them when they slept or were taking a shower.

Most states have some sort of “Innkeepers Law” that limits the liability a hotel or motel can be subjected to.  Interestingly it came from English Common Law and was originally enacted to protect innkeepers from being beaten up by drunken or unruly guests that took exception to the food or drink they had been served.

After entering your room, double lock the door and check to ensure the windows are locked.  Keep the “do not disturb” sign on the door.  When you sleep or are taking a shower, use your bicycle lock for your valuable cases or briefcases to attach them to a fixture.  Usually most rooms have a sink drainpipe that works fairly well for this and will delay most cat burglars.  Use room service or order food delivery if you have valuables with you.  If the property you are staying does not offer meals, then I recommend that you go to a fast food drive through and either eat prior to checking into your hotel or take to the hotel with you. 

Do not leave unattended valuables, or magazines or periodicals referring to them in your room. When you leave your room, even without any valuables or coins in the room, leave the TV or radio on.  The volume should be high enough to hear if you listen at your door, but low enough so it is not obvious and will not elicit a complaint from the adjoining room. Keep your room and personal items neat and orderly so you will recognize if something is out of place when you return.  If your luggage has a lock, use it.  A locked suitcase in a closet deters a lot of casual opportunity theft.

Always have your room key on your person when you leave your room.  When inside the room, always put the key in the same place so in an emergency you will not need to grope around half asleep trying to remember where you placed it. When you check out, return it to the front desk and do not leave it in he room.  If your key is the plastic entry card type, keep it and destroy it when you get home. The hotel sometimes codes all your personal information, including your home address, phone, business and even your credit card number on them. These are normally left in a box at the front desk till they are re-keyed, making you vulnerable to identity theft should they get into the wrong hands.

When you are dining in a restaurant, keep your bag or purse between your legs.  Thieves like to go into an eating establishment with an empty bag or paper sack and wait for you to relax, enjoy your meal and possibly have some pleasant conversation.  About that time your purse or bag that was hanging on the back of your chair is whisked into their empty bag or sack.  Then they can either leave or finish their meal without you being the wiser.  By the way, fanny packs worn in front only advertise to muggers, “Here’s my money!”  I would recommend instead putting your money with only a minimum of necessary credit cards into a folding wallet with a rubber band around it in your front pocket.  It makes it a little harder for pickpockets to lift it, and it does not give an invitation to be mugged.

Previously I traveled with a lap top computer.  It was nice to be able to do a few hours of work in my room by having it with me.  I even bought a cheesy little lock to secure it to a table or desk when I left.  Then I realized that, while the loss of the computer was costly, it was not nearly as costly as the easy theft of my identity.  The amount of information that could be gained about me, my business and family was just not worth the extra few hours I could log in.  I now no longer carry my laptop with me on my travels and have opted instead for catching up on needed reading, or even hard-earned time relaxing and giving myself time to create and plan.  If a little down time is beyond your capability, at least travel with a suitcase that locks and place your laptop inside of it, lock it, and place it in a closet.  Not the best security, but better than the alternative.    

So where are you most vulnerable to hotel theft? 

Most hotel experts agree that in the United States, Miami, New Orleans and New York have the greatest number of thefts.  This may be somewhat due to the high number of guest rooms and the high occupancy rate, but perhaps not.  Outside the US, Mexico and anywhere in South America you are not only more vulnerable to theft, but also to kidnap-for-ransom abductions that are now near epidemic levels.  But which country is the world leader in hotel theft?  Jamaica.  Anything left in a room including your dirty laundry will most likely be stolen in Jamaica.  Even the items you have on your body or in your pockets are targets to the thieves.  Hopefully, Jamaica would not be considered as a possible future site to hold the American Numismatics Association’s Convention, The Worlds Fair of Money.

Assault/rape in Hotels/Motels:

Operational:

Rape and other assaults on guests are very rare occurrences on hotel/motel properties; however; women and men still need to avoid wearing flamboyant or expensive jewelry.  It is common sense that the less conspicuous you are, the less likely you  will draw attention to yourself.  Conversely, a wedding ring will help keep away unwanted attention.  When you are traveling overseas, “Do in Rome as the Romans do” and try to blend in as best you can with the local dress and customs.  As hard as it is to imagine, not everyone in the world loves foreigners, especially arrogant Americans who tend to flaunt their rich and free lifestyles. Hotel room invaders usually target the occupant and room location, not necessarily the hotel.   

Perimeter:

When you arrive at your hotel, before departing your vehicle, drive around the area to familiarize yourself to your hotel’s location.  If you are in a cab, it is worth the extra couple of dollars to at least circle the block.  If you feel uncomfortable or sense that it might not be safe, consider altering your plans.  Again, trust your instincts.  If you plan on using a cab to venture out later, let the hotel call you the cab, and do not hail one yourself, especially in a foreign country.  It is always good idea when leaving your hotel to carry a brochure or desk card so you can find your way back. This is very helpful when trying to communicate with a cab driver in Hittite. Most may recognize at least your hotel’s name.

External:

Drop off your luggage at the bell stand or front desk first, get a claim check, then park your car in a well-lit area, preferably within sight of the hotel entrance.  If you feel the least threat, ask for someone from the hotel to escort you and walk back to the hotel with you.  Be very careful when returning to your car.  Simply go back to the hotel entrance if someone is around or lurking near your car.  Report it to hotel security or the front desk.  Ask for assistance.  Do not be embarrassed or think it will detract from your macho ego.

When registering into their hotel/motel, women should use only their first initial and last name.  It is even better to register Mr. & Mrs. and to let everyone know that your husband will be arriving in a few minutes, and you will need an extra key for him.  Be cautious about using titles or degrees as they give away your status or profession.  When answering the phone in your room, also include a few words to your “invisible husband” so the caller will not know you are alone.  Men, especially when transporting valuables, should also use these same procedures.  Never let anyone know that you are a lone traveler.   I like to do a simple security check to see how well trained the hotel staff is.  I call the front desk using my cell phone or a lobby phone, ask for myself and say I am not sure of the room number.  If the answer comes back, “He is in room 405, I will connect you,” this tells me I may have a security problem.  The correct answer should be, “I’ll connect you.”

When using hotel elevators, always position yourself next to the control panel with your back against the wall so you can immediately use the alarm in an emergency.  If there are people on the elevator with you, consider going to a floor above yours and using the stairs or the next elevator to go down to your floor. 

Internal:

If available, always accept bellman assistance upon check-in. It is well worth the tip of a few bucks. Allow the bellman to open the room, turn on the lights, and ensure the room is vacant and completely ready for you.  Before dismissing the bellman, check the windows and door locks to insure they are in working order.  Ensure that the draperies fully closed and do not leave an observation gap.  Make sure everything in your room is in working order and that it is fully equipped.  If there are no towels in the room, or if the television does not work, it is better to resolve the problem before settling in and unpacking your items.  When you are traveling alone, I would recommend you ask the front desk if a person is available to accompany you until you are safely in your room.  When you first enter your hotel room, leave the door open and check to see that no one is in the bathroom or under the bed. It has been 40 years since the movie “Psycho” was released, but I still check behind the shower curtain. 

Your own stubby door wedge that you stashed in your suitcase along with the little flashlight placed on your nightstand can add to the security and safety to your room.  A chair with a glass of loose change or keys placed on it can act as a portable alarm to give you enough time to call the front desk for assistance. 

You should never open your hotel door to any stranger until you are sure that their presence is legitimate, and you feel safe to do so.  Use the hotel phone to verify the legitimacy of the stranger.  Have all deliveries made to the front desk.  Have the messenger leave them to be inspected by hotel personnel and delivered by hotel staff to your room.  If it is an emergency and you are asked to open the door, do not do so until you are assured that it is a legitimate emergency by first calling the front desk. When in doubt, summon police.

If you return to your room, and someone is loitering in the hallway, do not enter, but return quickly to the lobby and report it.  An Ohio woman was robbed and raped in a Kansas City, Missouri hotel when she exited her room due to a fire alarm.  When she returned after it was discovered to be a false alarm, she noticed two men loitering near her room.  When she went to place the key in the door, she was struck by one of the men who dragged her into the room where both men robbed and raped her.  

Be careful about placing leftovers from room service outside your door.  This is especially true for unaccompanied women who usually order room service to avoid unwanted attention by dining alone in a hotel restaurant. A single service with lipstick on a glass could invite an invitation to an attack. 

In summary, when you are considering security in hotels, motels and resorts, try to consider the three primary areas of risk and the possibility that just maybe they could involve you.  Whether it be a fire, a catastrophic event, a burglary, a robbery or and assault, the world is still a very dangerous place.  With that said, life goes on, including travel.  Be it for business, pleasure or adventure, enjoy it, but be careful out there. 

Credits:

Carlson Wagonlit Travel: How to Survive a Hotel Fire, Vacation News. 2/4/03.
Federal Protective Security, Guidelines for Government Employees, Washington, D.C. 20407
Interview: Chad Callaghan, VP of Loss Prevention for Marriott International, Inc. Washington, D.C.
Department of State, Travel Warnings & Consular Information, Washington, D.C. 20407
Jefferson City News Tribune, June 18, 1999.
Naples Daily News, July 24, 2001.  
Center for Hospitality Research, Cathy Enz, Masako Taylor, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Federal Aviation Administration, Russ Crooks, AAL-470, March 2002, Washington, D.C.
Hotel Security, Room Invasion, Chris E. McGoey, CPP, CSP, CAM.
Corporate Risk International, Security for Travelers, Fairfax, VA 22030.
Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Overseas Advisory Council, November 1995