Fire safety is not typically front of mind for most people when making travel plans, however, fires in hotels and motels are extremely common. Here is everything you need to know about keeping your family safe when staying in hotels and motels.
Hotel Fire Safety - Did You Know?
- Each year, there are an estimated 3,900 hotel and motel fires that cause 15 deaths, 150 injuries and $76 million in property loss.
- Cooking is the leading cause of hotel and motel fires.
- 18% of non-confined hotel and motel fires extend beyond the room of origin. The leading causes of these larger fires are electrical malfunctions (24%), intentionally set fires (15%), and fires caused by open flames (12%). In contrast, 42% of all non-confined residential building fires extend beyond the room of origin.
- While bedrooms are the primary origin of non-confined fires (23%), when confined cooking fires are considered, the kitchen or other cooking area is the most prevalent area of fire origin.
- Hotel and motel fires are more prevalent in the cooler months due to increases in heating fires and peak in February (9%)
Hotel Fire Safety- Helpful Hints
- Choose a hotel/motel that is protected by both smoke alarms and a fire sprinkler system.
- When you check in, ask the front desk what the fire alarm sounds like.
- When you enter your room, review the escape plan posted in your room.
- Take the time to find the exits and count the number of doors between your room and the exit. Make sure the exits are unlocked. If they are locked, report it to management right away.
- Keep your room key by your bed and take it with you if there is a fire.
- If the alarm sounds, leave right away, closing all doors behind you. Use the stairs — never use elevators during a fire.
- If you must escape through smoke, get low and go under the smoke to your exit
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Source for Content: U.S. Fire Administration and National Fire Protection Association
