Hotel fires are rare but you should always be prepared.
Summer is approaching, and you have probably already started to make vacation plans. Fire is likely the last thing on your mind. Here in the United States, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) statistics show there is an average of 12 deaths and 143 injuries every year from hotel fires. Therefore, it is crucial to stay safe in a hotel during your vacation. Hotel fires are rare but you should always be prepared. Follow a few common-sense guidelines and perform a little pre-trip research. Read on to learn how to protect yourself from fire while staying in a hotel.
Before Leaving Home
Preparations should begin even before you book your hotel. You must ensure that the hotel has a fire safety plan. Ask if the hotel is fully equipped with sprinklers. Discuss fire safety with your children and ask them about the fire alarm drills they do at school to ensure they know what a fire alarm sounds like and what to do in an emergency. You should always:
- Ask the hotel if they have an automatic fire sprinkler system and smoke alarms.
- Ask if they have fire extinguishers.
- Take a flashlight with you in case of darkness due to a fire or power outage.
Arriving at the Hotel
Before you get cozy and start your vacation, you should:
- Know the location of the fire alarm devices and fire extinguishers on your floor
- Read your fire evacuation plan and find the closest two fire exits
- Count the doors between your rooms and the nearest exits in case of a fire
If There is a Hotel Fire
All these preparations might be for nothing if you panic if there is a real fire. When the fire alarm sounds, do not panic! Consider the following fire safety tips:
- Access the situation to learn whether it is safe to leave your room or not. Check out the door to see if it is hot with the back of your hand before you open it.
- Follow any instructions broadcasted over the fire alarm or emergency communications system. If it is safe and you are instructed to do so, grab your key, and exit the room
- If smoke has entered your floor, crawl on your knees or hands. The cleanest air is closest to your floor. A significant number of people who die in a fire perish from smoke inhalation.
If there is an actual fire and it is safe to do so, find the closest exit and get out. Take the stairs and hold the rails if they are not as hot when you come down.
- Make sure you follow any evacuation procedures of the hotel. They will get you out quickly and safely.
Fire Protection Services from Fireline
Whether you need smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, or an automatic sprinkler system installed at your commercial property, Fireline has you covered. We have been protecting people and property from fire damage since 1947—and our experience shows in our excellent work! We are known for our superb customer service, our expertise, and our reliability. For more information on how we can help your residential or commercial property, visit us online or give us a call at (800) 553-3405. We are located in Baltimore, MD, with a second office in Leesburg, VA. For more fire safety tips, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.