Vacationing is so much fun. You can leave your troubles behind you, you can relax and you forget about the daily trivia things that goes along with every day life. But you should not forget about safety. One thing, you might not have thought about was how safe the hotel is you will be residing, especially when it comes to fire safety. Fire?
Hotels never catch on fire, you may absurdly believe. Wrong. In fact, there are an estimated 3,900 hotel fires in the United States each year. Luckily, this number is lower than it was twenty years ago. The reason being many precautions and safety measures are in place. Yet, we still need to do our part in keeping ourselves safe.
What can you do to protect yourself? First, learn more about fire safety in general. Secondly, learn about what precautions are being taken to prevent or stop a fire at any hotel you plan on staying.
Do you think that all hotels are protected by sprinklers? Estimates say about one and four hotels have sprinklers, this include high rise hotels. If you want to know if the hotel where you plan to stay is protected and you are not sure, ask.
Another issue is that many hotels have installed faulty alarm systems. This means fire alarms will go off and there is no fire. Guests realize this happens many times and then they ignore the alarms. Someday they may be ignored one time too many. If you hear an alarm go off, no matter what time of day or night, take it seriously. Get out of the room and see what is happening.
What else can you do to help protect yourself:
1. When packing always include a small travel flashlight. If there is a fire, there also may not be any electric. You need to be able to see to find your way out of your room and possibly the hotel itself.
2. Before making reservations ask about the hotel's fire safety. This means asking about fire alarms, fire detectors and sprinklers. How many of each do they have and where are they in the hotel.
3. Make sure to actually read the fire evacuation directions. These may be framed in your room or given to you in brochure form.
4. If there is ever a fire or the alarm goes off and you leave your room, take your purse or wallet and keys with you. You do not know for sure if you will be able to get back inside the room. Your purse and wallet hold your identification and money. You will need your keys to get back into the room, if all becomes safe again.
5. If you can't leave the room and you smell smoke, call the fire department. Soak towels and sheets in water and place around door. Hang a bed sheet from your window to signal to people outside that you are inside that room.
6. Remember never open a door, without checking to see if the doorknob is hot.
Safety is important where ever and whatever you are doing. Never take your safety or the safety of your family for granted.
Home security is a serious issue for you once there are concerns for the security of your household and your property. Should you would similar additional information on any aspects of family protection then go to see Home Office Crime Reduction which provides a quantity of helpful help and assitance.
