The vast majority of people have experienced staying in hotels. Upon completing the front desk check-in procedures and entering the room, everyone has certain habitual actions, such as unpacking luggage, checking the bed, and connecting to Wi-Fi, among other things. However, a travel consultant reminds guests that the first thing they should do when checking into a hotel, which concerns personal safety, is to familiarize themselves with the hotel’s emergency exits and evacuation routes.
Indeed, the likelihood of encountering a fire or other emergency evacuation during a hotel stay is not high, but in the event that it occurs, not knowing the evacuation routes could jeopardize lives.
Travel consultant and founder of “The Amara Escapes”, Whytney Rawls, told “Travel+Leisure” that checking emergency exit signage is an “important habit” that all travelers should develop. She said, “If you don’t check the exit signs in advance and wait until an actual emergency occurs to stop and look, it’s not safe.”
Rawls also recommends quickly taking a photo of the emergency exit map with a mobile phone; that way, in case of an emergency, the escape route is readily available. “If you have the exit map stored in your phone, you can access it to see where the nearest exit is at any time. A better practice is to share it in your group chat with companions,” she said.
If you ultimately need to use the emergency exit, remember the following best practices. First and foremost: do not attempt to gather personal belongings. “In an emergency, prioritize your safety and that of your family or friends, evacuate as quickly as possible,” she said. Additionally, do not assume this is just a drill. “Always assume the threat is real,” she added.
Although the layouts of accommodations vary during travel, such as bed and breakfasts, inns, and vacation rentals, the same principles still apply; you still need to understand the layout of your accommodation.
“Boutique hotels may have unique or different exit layouts due to different construction periods, such as having outdoor staircases,” she explained.
Before checking into a guest room, it is also essential to consider the needs of individuals with mobility issues from the perspective of emergency exits. “If you are traveling with someone who has mobility issues and needs to use an elevator, then in high-rise buildings, choosing to stay on the ground floor or lower floors becomes particularly important,” she said.