Thursday, September 11, 2008

I thought since i have been so helpful in the smoke detector situation i would keep providing helpful hints:) ....

Put your room keys and flashlight in your shoes before you go to bed. If you need to leave your room during a fire, you want to be sure to bring your keys and flashlight, and while you don't want to waste time dressing, shoes can make your escape easier. Keep them together, and hopefully you'll remember them. If your hotel has multiple keys for different doors, make sure you know which keys open which doors, and label them if necessary. Bring all keys with you if you have to leave your room, because you may not be able to exit some doors without them. You may also find that your room is the safest place to be, and you'll need your key to get back in.

Feel the door with the back of your hand. Don't open the door without first feeling it. The back of your hand is very sensitive to heat, and by using it you also won't risk burning your palm or finger tips. If the door or doorknob is hot, the fire is probably right outside. If that's the case, don't open the door. Even if the door isn't hot, get ready to slam the door quickly shut if you need to.

Stay in your room if the fire is in the hall blocking the exits, or if the hall is filled with heavy smoke. Even if flames are not present, thick smoke will kill you, so unless your room is on fire or also filled with heavy smoke, you're probably better off staying inside.

Fill the bathtub with water. Use an ice bucket, trashcan, or suitcase to throw water onto the door or any other hot surface or spot fire in the room. If you have a fire extinguisher in the room, or if you're able to safely get one from the hallway, keep it close at hand and be ready to use it.
Create a mask by wetting a towel or article of clothing and tying it around your nose and mouth. Remember, smoke inhalation is deadly, and most fire fatalities are caused by smoke or toxic gas inhalation. Do all you can to minimize the amount of smoke you're exposed to.

Count the doors to the exit, and stay on the same side of the hall as the exit. If you've planned your escape route when you checked in you should know how many doors you have to pass, and you'll be able to find the exit even if you can't see a thing.

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