After a deadly fire swept through a ski lodge in Turkey on Tuesday, killing at least 79 people, multiple surviving guests and hotel workers said that they did not hear fire alarms and, in their desperate attempt to get out, could not locate the fire escapes.
In the United States, an estimated 3,900 fires break out in hotels and motels annually, leading to around 15 deaths, 100 injuries and $100 million in property losses, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, a department of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Acrid air is a bigger danger than flames, with between 60 and 80 percent of sudden deaths from smoke inhalation.
The federal Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Act of 1990 encourages hotels, motels and other public places of accommodation in the United States to install hard-wired smoke alarms in each guest room and for buildings with more than three stories, to also install automatic sprinkler systems in each guest room. But laws enforcing safety codes are determined on state and other local levels, and can vary. The European Union also offers guidelines for fire safety; codes in member nations that are legally binding issued at the country or local level.
“Many people assume that when they stay at a hotel, the needed safety systems are in place, but unfortunately that’s not always the case,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of outreach and advocacy at the National Fire Protection Association.
On a vacation, the potential for fires and other dangerous situations is often far from mind. But in rare instances, terrifying tragedy can come fast. These tips can help you prepare for a fire emergency in a hotel.
Before you travel
Look for hotels with hard-wired smoke alarms and sprinkler systems in each room. The accommodation’s website might provide that information, or check the U.S. Fire Administration master list online of the hotels and motels in the United States that report they have at least one smoke alarm in every room and an automatic fire sprinkler system for buildings four stories or taller.
“People need to confirm that the hotel includes working fire alarm and fire sprinkler systems, as well as carbon monoxide detection, which is a safety feature not all hotels provide,” said Ms. Carli.
When he travels, Rick Balentine, the fire chief for Aspen, Colo., asks to stay in hotel rooms on lower floors.
“I know it’s not always practical, and it may be a little paranoid,” he said, but “staying on the lower floors that either a ladder truck, or a 30-foot extension ladder, can get you, is always, in my opinion, the rule of thumb.”
Many hotel fires start within the building itself, with cooking fires 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 you are traveling abroad, sign up for Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), and you’ll receive emergency travel alerts from nearby U.S. embassies. The European Commission’s Copernicus tracks emergency responses across the European Union.
After checking in, come up with a plan
“Situational awareness is key,” Mr. Balentine said.
When you check in, ask the front desk if the fire alarms are functioning and read the hotel’s evacuation plan. Modern building codes require them, and they are often posted on the interior of hotel room doors and at 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 nearest your hotel room, which should have illuminated signs. Count the number of doors between your room and the exits. If it’s dark or there is limited visibility from smoke, this will help you navigate in an emergency.
Once inside your room, review the posted escape plan. It’s a good habit to put your hotel key in the same location in every hotel — such as on the night stand with your wallet and passport. Especially when abroad, have your travel documents (and any essential medications) accessible if you need to quickly leave the room. In cold climates, have a warm layer that you can easily grab on your way out.
Doors can serve as fire stops, 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 establishing a safety plan and a gathering place off the hotel grounds.
In case of a fire
If you hear a fire alarm or smell smoke in the room, gather your room key, important documents and medication, and 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 get out right away,” Mr. Balentine said. “Don’t wait for us firefighters to come knock on your door.”
Before opening the door, lightly touch it with the palm of your hand. If the door or knob is hot, the fire may be just outside your door. Do not open it. Take a few steps away as you wait for help, Mr. Balentine advises.
“Put some wet towels if you can at the door to keep smoke out until firefighters get there,” he said. A damp towel around your nose and mouth can also help filter 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 bail water from the bath on the door or walls. Drag the mattress against the door and keep it in place something heavy like a dresser.
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, Mr. Balentine said, “don’t jump.”
If your hotel room door does not feel hot, slowly open it to ensure the hall is clear of flames or heavy smoke. Shut the door behind you to protect your belongings, and slowly crawl toward the nearest exit. Fire rescue personnel will likely be traveling in the stairwells and expect to find guests.
If the stairwell is relatively clear of smoke, descend slowly until you exit the building and head to the designated point in the hotel’s evacuation plan. But if there is heavy smoke below you on the stairs, go to the roof. Roofs are considered a safe secondary exit when you cannot exit the hotel. Prop open the door to help vent smoke out of the hotel. Wait on the roof’s windward side for the fire department.
For more travel advice, visit our collection of Travel 101 tips and hacks.
