After a massive fire broke out at a ski lodge in Turkey on Tuesday, killing at least 79 people, several surviving guests and hotel workers said they could not hear the fire alarm and desperately tried to escape. Said he couldn't find the stairs. .
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, an estimated 3,900 hotel and motel fires occur annually in the United States, killing approximately 15 people, injuring 100 others, and causing $100 million in property losses. is occurring. The acrid air is a greater danger than the flames, and 60 to 80 percent of sudden deaths are due to smoke inhalation.
The Federal Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Act of 1990 requires hotels, motels, and other public accommodations in the United States to install hardwired fire alarms in each guest room and in buildings three or more stories high, and to require automatic sprinkler systems. We encourage you to install . Located in each guest room. However, laws enforcing safety regulations are determined at the state and other local levels and may vary. The European Union also provides guidelines on fire safety. A legally binding member state code issued at national or local level.
“Many people assume that when they stay in a hotel, they have the necessary safety systems in place, but unfortunately that's not always the case,” says Lorraine, Vice President of Outreach and Advocacy at the National Fire Protection Association.・Kari says.
While on vacation, the possibility of fire or other dangerous situations is often less of a concern. However, in rare cases, a terrible tragedy can quickly occur. These tips will help you prepare for a fire emergency at your hotel.
before traveling
Look for hotels that have wired fire alarms and sprinkler systems in each room. Make sure your property's website provides that information or check the U.S. Fire Administration's master list online to ensure at least one smoke alarm in every room and an automatic fire sprinkler system for buildings over four stories. See which hotels and motels in the U.S. are reporting they have one. .
“People need to make sure their hotel has working fire alarms and fire sprinkler systems, as well as carbon monoxide detectors, which not all hotels have. It's not a safety feature,” Carli said.
Rick Valentine, the fire chief in Aspen, Colorado, is asking people who travel to stay in hotel rooms on lower floors.
“I know that’s not necessarily realistic, and I might be a little paranoid,” he said. But “it's always been my opinion to stay on a lower floor that can be accessed by a ladder truck or 30-foot extension ladder” opinion, rule of thumb. ”
Most hotel fires start within the building, with cooking fires being the most common cause. Wildfires are also a risk in some top tourist destinations. Find out if there is a fire season in your destination by following local news and government updates.
When traveling internationally, sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive emergency travel alerts from your local U.S. embassy. The European Commission's Copernicus tracks the response to emergencies across the European Union.
Make a plan after checking in
“Situational awareness is key,” Valentine said.
When checking in, ask the front desk if the fire alarms are activated and read the hotel's evacuation plan. Modern building codes require these and they are often posted on the inside of hotel room doors and on elevator banks. The plan typically includes the layout of the building and identifies emergency exits, evacuation routes, and the location of fire extinguishers and manual alarms.
Find the fire alarm and two exits closest to your hotel room. These should have illuminated signs. Count the number of doors between your room and the exit. Useful for emergency movement when visibility is limited due to darkness or smoke.
Once you enter the room, check the posted escape plan. It is a good practice to keep your hotel key in the same location at every hotel. For example, place it on your nightstand with your wallet and passport. Especially when abroad, make sure you have your travel documents (and any necessary medicines) readily available in case you need to leave your room quickly. In colder climates, make sure you have warm outerwear that is easily accessible when you go out.
The door acts as a fire extinguisher, slowing combustion and keeping some of the smoke out. Check to see if the window opens, and if so, practice opening it.
If you're traveling in a group, Valentine suggests having a safety plan and setting up a meeting point off the hotel grounds.
In case of fire
If the fire alarm goes off or you smell smoke in your room, collect your room key, important documents, and medications and crawl to the door on all fours. The smoke rises, which helps protect your eyes and lungs for as long as possible.
“Be prepared to escape immediately,” Valentine said. “Don’t wait for us firefighters to come knocking on your door.”
Before opening the door, touch it lightly with your palm. If the door or knob is hot, there may be a fire just outside the door. Please do not open it. Valentine advises staying a few steps away while waiting for help.
“If possible, place a wet towel in the entryway to keep smoke out until firefighters arrive,” he said. Placing a damp towel around your nose and mouth will help filter smoke. Open windows to vent smoke unless there is a fire outside.
If your walls or doors feel hot, use an ice bucket to direct the bath water onto them. Drag the mattress to the door and use something heavy, such as a dresser, to hold it in place.
Call 911 or the fire department and give them your room number. Try using a flashlight or a brightly colored cloth to signal rescuers from your window.
“Don't jump,” Valentine said, unless you're on the ground floor.
If your hotel room door is not hot, open it slowly and make sure there are no flames or thick smoke in the hall. Close the door behind you to protect your belongings and slowly crawl toward the nearest exit. Fire and rescue personnel are likely moving through the stairwell, hoping to spot visitors.
If there is relatively little smoke in the stairwell, slowly descend until you are outside the building and head to the area specified in your hotel's evacuation plan. However, if there is thick smoke under the stairs, go to the roof. The roof is considered a safe secondary exit in case you are unable to leave the hotel. Please open the door to vent the smoke outside the hotel. Wait upwind of the roof for the fire department to arrive.
For more travel advice, check out our collection of Travel 101 tips and hacks.
