After a deadly fire swept through a ski resort in Turkey on Tuesday, killing at least 79 people, many surviving guests and hotel workers said they did not hear fire alarms and, in their desperate attempt to get out, were unable to locate the blazes.
In the United States, an estimated 3,900 hotel and motel fires break out annually, resulting in about 15 deaths, 100 injuries and $100 million in property damage, according to the U.S. Fire Marshal’s Office, a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Acrid air is a greater danger than flames, with 60 to 80 percent of sudden deaths from smoke inhalation.
The federal Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Act of 1990 encourages hotels, motels, and other public accommodations in the United States to install wired smoke alarms in every guest room and, for buildings of more than three stories, to also install automatic sprinkler systems in each guest room. However, laws enforcing safety codes are set at the state and other local levels and may vary. The European Union also offers fire safety guidelines. codes in the Member States which are legally binding issued at national or local level.
“Many people assume that when they stay in a hotel, the necessary safety systems are in place, but unfortunately that’s not always the case,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of information and advocacy at the National Fire Protection Association.
On vacation, the possibility of fires and other dangerous situations is often out of mind. But in rare cases, a terrifying tragedy can come quickly. These tips can help you prepare for a hotel fire emergency.
Before you travel
Look for hotels with wired smoke alarms and sprinkler systems in every room. The property’s website may provide this information, or check the US Fire Department’s main online list of hotels and motels in the United States that report having at least one smoke alarm in each room and an automatic fire sprinkler system for buildings of four stories or higher.
“People should confirm that the hotel includes working fire alarm and fire sprinkler systems, as well as carbon monoxide detection, which is a safety feature that not all hotels provide,” Ms. Carly.
When he travels, Rick Balentine, the fire chief for Aspen, Colo., asks to stay in hotel rooms on the lower floors.
“I know it’s not always practical and it can be a little paranoid,” he said, but “staying on the lower floors that either a ladder truck or a 30-foot ladder can get you, it’s always in the back of my mind. opinion, the rule of thumb’.
Many hotel fires start within the building itself, with cooking fires being the most common cause. For some top tourist destinations, wildfires are also a risk. Research if there is a fire season where you are traveling by following local news and government updates.
When traveling abroad, sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and you’ll receive emergency travel alerts from nearby US embassies. The European Commission’s Copernicus monitors emergency responses across the European Union.
After checking in, create a plan
“Situational awareness is key,” said Mr. Valentine.
When checking in, ask the front desk if the fire alarms are working and read the hotel’s evacuation plan. Modern building codes require them and they are often posted on the inside of hotel room doors and elevator banks. Plans usually include a layout of the building and identify emergency exits, evacuation routes and the locations of fire extinguishers and manual alarms.
Locate the fire alarms and the two exits closest to your hotel room, which should have illuminated signs. Count the number of doors between your room and the exits. If it is dark or visibility is limited by smoke, this will help you navigate in an emergency.
Once in your room, check the published escape plan. It’s a good habit to put your hotel key in the same location at every hotel — like on the nightstand with your wallet and passport. Especially when abroad, keep your travel documents (and any necessary medications) accessible if you need to leave the room quickly. In cold climates, you have a warm layer that you can easily grab when you go out.
Doors can serve as fire stoppers, slowing the burn and keeping some of the smoke out. Check the windows to see if they open, and if so, practice opening them.
If you are traveling with a group, Mr. Balentine suggests creating a security plan and gathering area outside the hotel grounds.
In case of fire
If you hear a fire alarm or smell smoke in the room, gather your room key, important documents and medication, then crawl to the door on your hands and knees. Smoke rises, so this will help protect your eyes and lungs for as long as possible.
“Prepare to leave at once,” said Mr. Ballentine. “Don’t wait for us firefighters to knock on your door.”
Before opening the door, touch it lightly with the palm of your hand. If the door or knob is hot, the fire may be right outside your door. Don’t open it. Take a few steps away while waiting for help, advises Mr. Valentine.
“Put some wet towels, if you can, on the door to keep the smoke out until the firemen arrive,” he said. A wet towel around your nose and mouth can also help filter the smoke. Open the window to vent the smoke – unless the fire is outside.
If the walls or door feel hot, you can use an ice bucket to collect water from the bath on the door or walls. Slide the mattress over the door and hold it in place with something heavy like a chest of drawers.
Call 911 or the fire department and give them your room number. Try signaling rescue personnel from the window with a flashlight or light-colored cloth.
Unless you’re on the first floor, said Mr. Balendin, “don’t jump.”
If your hotel room door is not warm, open it slowly to make sure the room is clear of flames or heavy smoke. Close the door behind you to protect your belongings and crawl slowly to the nearest exit. Fire rescue personnel will likely travel to the stairwells and wait to find visitors.
If the stairwell is relatively clear of smoke, slowly descend until you exit the building and proceed to the designated point on the hotel evacuation plan. But if there is heavy smoke below you on the stairs, go to the roof. Rooftops are considered a safe secondary exit when you cannot get out of the hotel. Open the door to help the smoke out of the hotel. Wait on the windward side of the roof for the fire department.
For more travel tips, visit our collection of Travel 101 tips and hacks.
