Although hotel fires occur infrequently, when they do occur they can have very serious consequences for hotel guests. Travelers should take precautions and be aware of basic information on what to do if a fire occurs in their hotel while on vacation.

First of all, when you book a hotel room, try to get a room that is no higher than the fifth floor. In the event of a fire, many fire ladders cannot reach higher rooms. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

You should pack a small, battery-operated smoke detector in your travel luggage and hang it on the doorknob on the inside of your hotel room door, or place it on a chair or piece of furniture near the door. Now you don’t have to worry about whether or not your hotel room has a smoke detector and whether it actually works.

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

If you smell smoke or the smoke alarm sounds in your room or at the hotel, don’t open the door and run out into the hallway. First of all, carefully touch the door of your room and, if it does not feel warm, get on your knees and open it slowly. If the hallway is full or begins to fill with smoke, crawl on all fours to the stairs and get out of the hotel as quickly as possible. If your hotel door is hot to the touch, don’t open it. Instead, roll up wet towels and line the gap at the bottom of the door with them. Fill the tub with cold water. Open or remove curtains, drapes or blinds covering windows and balcony door so emergency crews can easily see inside your room. Stay in the bathroom until the danger passes or help arrives.

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

In the event of an earthquake, get under a sturdy desk or table in your hotel room. If you can’t get under a sturdy piece of furniture quickly, get under an open doorway or get close to an inside wall of your room. Protect your head and neck as best you can. When the ground stops shaking, you may be able to safely exit the hotel. Just don’t use an elevator. The elevator mechanism may be damaged, even if the elevator appears to be in good working order. Even if the elevator is working properly and people are using it, don’t use it. Why? What if you take the elevator and a huge earthquake occurs while you’re in it? You could get trapped inside, so always use the stairs. When you are outside the hotel, be aware of possible falling debris. It’s always a good idea to find an open spot away from all tall buildings in case they collapse from any aftershocks, small or large, or other potential earthquake.