The holiday season brings in new guests and added revenue. There is no better time to impress new guests with your hotel amenities. But with crammed schedules and sold out rooms, it’s easy to become preoccupied with perfecting the guest experience and less time spent preparing your staff for emergencies.
Fires occur when you least expect them. Any member of your staff who doesn’t know what to do in the case of a fire is a liability. They not only put themselves at risk, but they also become a hazard for guests and other staff.
During the holiday season, these risks increase with added distractions, increased guests and additional personnel.
Hotel Managers would be prudent to review drills and emergency procedures ahead of the Christmas rush with both new and seasoned employees. Make sure all personnel are comfortable with fire safety protocols.
Proper training is much more than knowing the location of exits; it includes understanding how to keep guests safe and knowing how to handle fire protection equipment.
Are your Staff Fire Safety Savvy?
Do they know:
1) The location of all fire extinguishers and how to operate them?
2) Where and how to direct guests out of the hotel – While keeping them calm?
3) The location and operation of a fire sprinkler shut off device in the case of accidental fire sprinkler activation?
4) How to handle guests that have mobility concerns and/or are distressed in an emergency?
5) Techniques to assist and communicate with non-English speaking guests
6) How to keep your guests fire safe when they are unable to leave the building?
Fire prevention and safety needs to be a collaborative effort. Ensuring that your staff is familiar with these and other safety procedures can help minimize the risks.