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

First of all, when booking a hotel room, try and get one that is no higher than the fifth floor. In case of fire, many fire engine ladders can’t always reach rooms that are higher. It is 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.

Be sure to check and see where the fire extinguishers are located on your floor. Also, you should check where the exit stairs are located in case you need to exit the building in an emergency. Even if the elevators are working, don’t use the elevator if there’s a fire.

If you smell smoke or the smoke alarm in your room or in the hotel is ringing, do not open the door and rush into the hall. First, carefully touch your hotel room door and if it doesn’t feel hot, get down on your knees and open it slowly. If the hall is filled with smoke, crawl on all fours to the stairs and exit the hotel as fast as possible. If your hotel door is hot to the touch, don’t open it. Instead, roll up some wet towels and cover up the space at the bottom of the door with them. Now fill the bathtub with cold water. Open or take down all drapes, curtains, or blinds covering the windows and balcony door so that emergency crews can easily see into your room. Stay in the bathroom until the danger passes or help arrives.

What should you do if an earthquake happens 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.