Causes and Prevention Ideas for Hotel and Motel Fires
Accidental Fires
On average, about 10% of fires are unintentional or caused by accidents.
After all, accidents happen, so this isn’t a huge surprise. Lit
cigarettes, candles, improperly wired electrical devices, daisy-chained
extension cords, and heating equipment placed too close to the wall are
just some of the ways in which accidental fires can happen. The good news
is that these are easy to avoid by simply training all employees on proper
fire safety regulations.
Consider having regular staff meetings to go over all necessary safety
precautions in the event of a fire. Be sure to schedule regular fire
drills to ensure your staff is prepared.
Appliance or Electrical Malfunction
Around 30% of workplace fires start in the kitchen and are caused by
either human error or faulty appliances. When hiring a new employee, give
an extensive tour of the kitchen. Make sure all staff are familiarized
with all safety procedures while interacting with these appliances.
Older buildings tend to have a higher risk for workplace fires because of
faulty wiring. You should regularly have your wiring inspected if your
business is in an older building. Routine inspections can help ensure the
old wiring won’t cause a fire.
Arson or Intentional Fires
Intentionally set fires are hard to predict and can be difficult to
protect your building from. Arson results in the highest number of
fire-related deaths, and arsonists usually target trash cans, dumpsters,
and parking garages for spots to ignite the fire. Since you can’t predict
when this will happen, you can be proactive in keeping your building safe
by regularly emptying trash cans and keeping your dumpster locked. Most
arson fires take place between 3 pm and midnight, so it may be worth
installing motion-detected cameras and floodlights in an attempt to deter
arsonists.