With roughly 1,000 fires in hotels and motels annually, travelers need to pay close attention to fire safety as well as location and amenities when planning a trip. When traveling, it is important to become familiar with your surroundings. To ensure your trip is safe, follow these safety guidelines.

Begin at Home

• Begin preparing for a hotel/motel fire before you leave home

• Pack a flashlight with fresh batteries. The flashlight can guide you through a dark and smoky hall or may be used to signal rescuers.
• Pack a portable smoke alarm. A battery-operated smoke alarm, placed on a hanger at the top of the door of your room will alert you to possible fires at night when you are sleeping. 
• When making reservations, request rooms closer to ground level and ask if the hotel/motel has smoke alarms and sprinklers.

Check the Exits

• At check-in, identify all exits, stairways and escape routes.

• Read the fire evacuation plan carefully. If one is not posted in your room, request one from the front desk. Familiarize yourself with the posted escape routes.
• Locate the two exits closest to your room.
• Count the number of doorways between your room and the nearest exit.
• Locate the fire alarms on your floor.
• Notice which side of the hall the exit is on and whether an ice machine or other objects block the way.
• Notice how the door opens and familiarize yourself with how the locks work.
• Check windows for operation. Check to see if there is a roof or deck that you could safely jump on to in the event of a fire.
• Keep your room key and eyeglasses on the nightstand or somewhere else where you can find them easily.

In Case of Fire

• If the fire is in your room, get out quickly. Close the door, sound the alarm and notify the front desk.

• If the fire is not in your room, roll out of bed and crawl to the door.
• Take your room key so you can get back in to take shelter if necessary.
• Feel the door. If the door is hot, do not open it. If the door is not hot, open it slowly and be prepared to close it quickly if smoke enters.
• Check the hall. If it is clear, walk to the fire exit and get out and away from building. If there is smoke in the hall, crawl to the exit and get out. If there is fire and thick smoke at lower levels, go back into your room.
• Knock loudly on other doors as you pass them to alert others who may not be aware of the danger.
• Never attempt to go to the roof of a building using the stairs because the exit to the roof may be locked.
• Use stairs to escape. Do not use the elevator.