Tips for a comfortable, happy and safe visit ...
Fire Safety - at Hotels and Lodges
Unfortunately, still some hotels and lodges in Kenya may not be complying with fire regulation laws. This is being rectified - but, in the meantime ...
On Checking In
- Place your key near your bed on your bedside locker.
- Look out of the window orient yourself.
- Find out if the windows open.
- Find out where the fire exits are located.
- Count the number of doors from your room to the exist.
- Find the fire alarm in the corridor.
- Locate the fire extinguishers.
- Determine how yo would activate them if needed.
- Find out how to dial the Reception.
- Close all doors when you go to bed. Closed doors offer protection from heat and smoke and slow a fire's progress.
In Case of Fire
- Don't waste time getting dressed or searching for valuables.
- Take your key and go to the door.
- If there is smoke in the room - DO NOT STAND UP - smoke and gases rise.
- If smoke is coming under the door - DO NOT OPEN
- Otherwise, open the door and proceed to the fire exit.
- Close every door behind you.
- If you go to the nearest fire exit, close the door behind you. If you cannot go down the stairs, find another exit.
- If your exit route is filled with smoke and there is no other way out, get down to the 'safety zone' near the floor - and crawl.
- Do not be tempted to walk through smoke-filled halls and rooms.
If you must stay in your room
- Open a window if there is no smoke outside.
- Hang a sheet or blanket out of the window.
- If there is smoke outside, keep all the windows closed.
- Fill the bathtub with water and use the ice bucket or waste paper basket to bail.
- Wet some towels and/or sheets and block the crack around the door.
- Switch of all ventilators in the bathroom and any other parts of your room.
- If the switch cannot be found, block the vents with wet towels.
- If the doors and walls are hot, throw water on them with the ice bucket or waste paper basket.
- Keep everything wet.
- Feel every door with the back of the hand for warmth before opening it. If it seems cool, double-check by testing the handle. If there is the slightest warmth or smoke seepage, keep the door closed and look for an alternative route.
- If the door is cool, crouch down and open it carefully - ready to slam it shut if confronted by heat or smoke. A fire that has died down may flare up when fed oxygen.
- Should your clothing catch fire, STOP, DROP and ROLL.
- If someone on fire starts to panic and run, knock him down and roll him until the flames are out.
- Have a family fire drill before leaving for your holiday.