You can fireproof your home, but traveling poses new challenges and risks.

These tips will help you improve your safety when staying in a hotel or motel.

Before you go

When making reservations, ask about the hotel or motel's fire precautions:


What is their safety record? Have there been any fires? If so, when did they occur? How extensive were they? Was anyone injured?
Where are hotel smoke alarms positioned? When were they last inspected and maintained?
Does the hotel have a sprinkler system? Where are sprinklers located? When were they last inspected, maintained, tested?
Whenever you travel, pack a flashlight. This is easily forgotten, but it can be your best safety tool in an emergency.

When you arrive


Read the fire evacuation plan. It will usually be posted on a door or the wall. If you cannot find an evacuation plan, call the front desk and get a copy.
Locate two exits from your room. Take a moment to walk your evacuation route. This will improve your reaction time if something does happen.
Make a mental note of the number of doors between your room and each exit. This helps you stay oriented if halls are filled with smoke or other problems occur.
Locate the fire alarms on your floor. You may need to get to one quickly if a fire breaks out.
Avoid smoking in bed. Hotels may allow it, but they typically do not provide extra precautions to keep you safe.

If a fire breaks out


If the fire is in your room, get out. Close the door, sound the fire alarm and notify the front desk.
If the fire is not in your room, exit your room if that is safe, and then sound the fire alarm and notify the front desk. Make sure to take your room key in case your way becomes blocked by fire or smoke, making it necessary to return to your room for safety.
Always check whether doors are hot before you open them. Touch the door lightly with the back of your hand to test for temperature. If the door is hot, DO NOT OPEN it.
When opening a door that is cool, crouch low in case there is smoke on the other side. If you encounter flames, close the door immediately and look for another exit.
If you suspect or encounter smoke in rooms or hallways, stay low to the ground. The air will always be freshest there.
If you are trapped in your room, seal the door with wet towels or sheets. Turn off any fans or air conditioners. These can spread fire and smoke. Use your room phone or cell phone to call the front desk and the fire department for help. Signal your whereabouts from your window.

The Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Act of 1990 requires U.S.-based hotels or motels four or more stories high to have sprinklers for fire safety. Hard-wired smoke detectors are required to be in every guest room, regardless of the height of the structure.

 

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