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 happens, get under a solid desk or table in your hotel room. If you cannot get under a solid piece of furniture, then position yourself under an open doorway frame or move next to an inside wall in your hotel room. Protect your head and neck the best you can. When the earth stops shaking you then may be able to exit the hotel safely. Just do not use an elevator. The elevator's mechanism could be damaged, even if the elevator seems to be in working order. Even if the elevator is working, and people are using it, still don't use it. Why not? What if you are the elevator and a major earthquake occurs when you're in it? You could get trapped inside, so make sure you use the stairs. When you are outside the hotel, watch out for falling debris. It's a good idea to find an open area away from tall buildings in case they collapse due to any more large or small tremors, or another earthquake.