HOTEL FIRE SAFETY

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MAIN (Return to Top)

Travelers need to pay close attention to fire safety as well as location and amenities when planning a trip. When traveling, it is important to become familiar with your surroundings. Here are some safety guidelines to insure your trip is safe.

BEGIN AT HOME (Return to Top)

• Begin preparing for a hotel/motel fire before you leave home.
• Pack a flashlight with fresh batteries. The flashlight can guide you through a dark and smoky hall or may be used to signal rescuers. Also, pack a portable smoke detector to be extra safe.
• Select accommodations equipped with sprinklers and smoke alarms in quest rooms.
• When making reservations, request rooms closer to the ground level and ask if the hotel/motel has smoke alarms and sprinklers.
• If any of the occupants has a disability (blindness, deafness or mobility impairment), make sure they can be accommodated.

CHECK THE EXITS (Return to Top)

• At check in, identify all exits, stairways and escape routes. Walk to two exits in opposite directions from your room. Count the number of doors between each exit (you may not be able to see if there is smoke or the power is out).
• Note the locations of fire alarms and fire extinguishers on your floor.
• Read the fire/emergency evacuation plan carefully. If one is not posted in your room, request one from the front desk.
• If exits are blocked, locked or the exit signs are not lit, notify the manager immediately.
• Read the instructions on the phone on how to report emergencies.
• Notice which side of the hall the exit is on and if there is anything blocking the way.
• Notice how the door opens and familiarize yourself with how the locks work.
• Check windows for operation. Check to see if there is a roof deck that you can safely jump onto in the event of fire.
• Keep your room key on the nightstand or somewhere else where you can find them easily.

IN CASE OF FIRE (Return to Top)

• If the fire is in your room, get out quickly. Close the door, sound the alarm and notify the front desk.
• If the fire is not in your room, roll out of bed and crawl to the door.
• Feel the door. If the door is hot, do not open it, open it slowly and be prepared to close it quickly if smoke enters.
• Take your room key and a flashlight with you. If the exits are blocked or the smoke gets thicker, you may have to go back to your room.
• Check the hall. If it is clear, walk to the fire exit and get out and away from the building. If there is smoke in the hall, get below the smoke and go to the exit and get out.
• Knock loudly on the other doors as you pass them to alert others who may not be aware of the danger.
• Do not attempt to go to the roof of a building using the stairs because the exit to the roof may be locked.
• Use the stairs to escape. Do not use the elevators.

SHELTER IN PLACE (Return to Top)

• If your room door is hot or the hall is full of smoke, remain in your room. You may be able to drop to the ground if you are on the first or second story. Do not jump if you are on a higher level because you could be seriously injured or killed.
• If you cannot leave your room, use the phone to call for help. Open your window (do not break the glass because if there is smoke outside you will not be able to close the window to keep the smoke out). Yell out the window and wave a sheet, towel, pillow case or flashlight to signal for help. If smoke and flames are rising outside, keep windows shut.
• Place wet towels and sheets around the doorways, vents and anyplace else where smoke can seep into the room.
• If the doors and walls get hot, bail water on them with the ice bucket.
• Fill the bathtub with water and use it for soaking the towels and sheets and also for refilling the ice bucket.
• Make sure you know how to turn off fans, air-conditioning and heating units.

No matter what safety measures the hotel and staff provides, the best protection in a fire emergency is an alert individual who knows what to do in case of a hotel fire.

The safety information enclosed was compiled from the best sources available to us. The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance and authors cannot assume any liability for its effectiveness in every emergency situation.