When traveling, it is important to become familiar with your surroundings. The United States Fire Administration would like you to review the following safety tips to assist you in preparing for fire safe traveling.
Plan Ahead
- When making your reservations, ask if the hotel or motel has smoke detectors and fire sprinklers.
- When traveling, take a flashlight with you.
- Read the fire evacuation plan carefully. If one is not posted in your room, request one from the front desk.
- Locate the two exits from your room.
- Count the number of doors between your room and the exits. This will assist you in the need of an emergency evacuation.
- Locate the fire alarms on your floor.
- Never smoke in bed.
Life Safety Steps
- If the fire is in your room, get out quickly. Close the door, sound the alarm and notify the front desk.
- Always use a stairwell, never an elevator. The elevator could stop at the floor of the fire.
- If the fire is not in your room, leave if it is safe to do so. Be sure to take your room key with you in case fire blocks your escape and you need to re-enter your room.
- To check the hallway for fire, touch the door with the back of your hand to test the temperature. If the door is cool, get low to the floor, brace your shoulder against the door and open it slowly. Be ready to close it quickly if there are flames on the other side. Crawl low in the smoke to the nearest exit; the freshest air is near the floor.
- If your room door is hot, do not open it. Instead, seal the door with wet towels or sheets. Turn off the fans and air conditioners. Call the fire department to give your location. Signal from your window.
If There is a Fire
If there is any indication or even a suspicion of a fire, call the hotel operator immediately. Give your name, room number, and a brief description of the situation.
Before attempting to leave your room, grab your key. If your family is with you, determine a meeting place outdoors so you will know everyone is safe.
Feel the door with the back side of your hand. (if you used your palm, it might burn your hand due to heat transfer and you would have a hard time using it) If the door or knob is warm, do not open it.
If the door is not warm, drop to your knees and slowly open the door, but be ready to slam it should a cloud of smoke roll in. If the hallway is clear, head for the exit, not the elevator. Close your door behind you. Take your key with you.
Do not stand upright, but crawl or keep low to the floor to avoid smoke and odorless carbon monoxide.
Stay on the same side of the hall as your exit, counting the number of doors to the exit. When you reach the exit, walk quickly, but cautiously down the stairs, and hold on to the handrail as you go. Smoke will sometimes get into an exit stairwell. If you encounter smoke, do not try to run through it. Turn around and walk up. Proceed to a smoke free corridor and cross the building to an alternate exit.
If you are unable to leave your room, make every effort to notify someone that you are in your room. If you cannot reach the hotel operator, call the local fire department and identify your exact location. Signal to them by hanging a bed sheet from your window.
If there is smoke in your room, open the window. Do not break the glass unless it is absolutely necessary because heavier smoke may begin to enter from outside.
Fill the bathtub with water. Wet towels and sheets and stuff them around the door and vent which is allowing smoke to enter the room.
If the door and walls are hot, bail water on them with your ice bucket to keep them cool·
Place the mattress up against the door and hold it in place with the dresser. Keep it wet. Keep everything wet·
A wet towel tied around your nose and mouth will help filter out smoke if you fold it into a triangle and put the corner in your mouth.
If there is a fire outside of the window, pull down the drapes and move everything that is flammable away from the window.
Do not jump from the room. A fall from this height can cause serious injury. Rather, continue to protect yourself from the fire and signal from your window for help.
