Monday, October 6, 2008

What Can Vacationers Do If A Fire Occurs In Their Hotel?

By Dorothy Yamich

Although fires in hotels happen infrequently, when they do occur they could have serious consequences for their hotel guests. Travelers should take some precautions and be aware of basic info on what to do if a fire happens in their hotel when they are on vacation.

First of all, when you are booking a hotel room, try and get a room that is no higher than the fifth floor. In case of a fire, many fire engine ladders can not reach rooms that are higher. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

You can carry a small, battery-operated smoke detector in your travel luggage and hang it on the door knob on the inside of the hotel room door, or put it on a chair or on top of a piece of furniture near the door. Now you don't have to be concerned about whether or not your room has a smoke detector that really does work.

Always check to see where the closest fire extinguishers are located on your floor. You should also check where the exit stairs are located in case you have to exit the building in an emergency. Even if the elevators are working, do not use an elevator if there is a fire.

If you can smell smoke or the smoke alarm in the room or in the hotel goes off, don't open the door and rush out into the hall. Firstly, carefully touch the door to your room and if it's not hot, get down on your knees and slowly open it. If the hotel hall is filled, or getting filled with smoke, crawl on all fours to the exit stairs and get out of the hotel as quickly as possible. If your hotel room door feels hot to the touch, do not open it. Instead, roll up wet towels and cover the space under the bottom of the door with them. Fill the bathtub up with cold water. Wait in the bathroom until the danger is over or emergency help arrives.

What should you do if an earthquake occurs when you are in your hotel room?

In case an earthquake occurs, get under a sturdy table, or desk in your hotel room. If you can't get under a solid piece of furniture fast, then stay under an open doorway frame or move close to an inside wall in your room. Protect your head and neck. When the earth stops shaking you may be able to get out of the hotel safely. Just don't use the elevator. The elevator's mechanism might be damaged, even if the elevator looks like it's in working order. Even if the elevators are working properly, and people are using it, still do not use it. Why is that? What if you do take the elevator and a major quake happens while you are in it? You could end up being trapped inside, so always use the exit stairs. When you are outside of the hotel, watch out for any falling debris. It is always a good idea to stay in an open area away from any tall building just in case it collapses due to any subsequent small or large tremors, or another quake. - 15266

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