The Legal Herald
The implementation of proper fire safety devices, procedures and training is the responsibility of hotel owners and managers and critical to the safety of hotel staff and guests. Travelers can also protect themselves by researching hotel fire procedures and evacuation plans before or during check-in.
The U.S. Fire Administration and the National Fire Prevention Agency (NFPA) outline fire safety tips for hotel owners and guests below:
U.S. Fire Administration: Hotel Fire Safety
The Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Act of 1990 encourages fire safety in places that offer lodging to the public. Use the Hotel-Motel National Master List to find hotels and motels that:
- Have at least one single-station and hard-wired smoke alarm in each guest room.
- Have an automatic fire sprinkler system in each guest room for buildings that are four or more stories tall.
- Are approved for U.S. federal government employees while on official travel.
NFPA: Hotel Guest Fire Safety
Be safe when traveling:
- Choose a hotel/motel that is protected by both smoke alarms and a fire sprinkler system.
- When you check in, ask the front desk what the fire alarm sounds like.
- When you enter your room, review the escape plan posted in your room.
- Take the time to find the exits and count the number of doors between your room and the exit. Make sure the exits are unlocked. If they are locked, report it to management right away.
- Keep your room key by your bed and take it with you if there is a fire.
- If the alarm sounds, leave right away, closing all doors behind you. Use the stairs — never use elevators during a fire.
- If you must escape through smoke, get low and go under the smoke to your exit.
If you can’t escape:
- Shut off fans and air conditioners.
- Stuff wet towels in the crack around the doors.
- Call the fire department and let them know your location.
- Wait at the window and signal with a flashlight or light colored cloth.
Know Your Rights
Hotel guests have a right to feel safe and secure while on the property. By law, property owners are required to protect all guests legally on the premises from any foreseeable harm. Should the property owner fail to provide adequate safety measures, they may be held civilly liable for any injuries or wrongful deaths which occur as a consequence.
We Fight for Victims of Property Safety Negligence…Contact us Now for a Free Consultation.
The Murray Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for victims of unsafe properties, and recently obtained a $29.25 million dollar verdict for one of our Clients.
We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover. Anyone seeking further information or legal representation is encouraged to contact us via e-mail (click here) or by telephone at 888.842.1616. Consultations are free and confidential.
Choosing the Right Attorney
Selecting the right attorney for you or your family is highly important. You must feel confident that the attorney you hire has a complete understanding of the law applicable to your particular case, and has successful experience in handling such cases.
Important: Do not hire a lawyer who has violated the Rules of Professional Conduct!!!
You should not hire an attorney who calls you or visits you unsolicited, or anyone that contacts you directly to offer legal services. This activity is strictly prohibited by Rule 7.3 of the American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which states as follows:
A LAWYER “SHALL NOT” CONTACT A PROSPECTIVE CLIENT THROUGH A “LIVE TELEPHONE” OR AN “IN-PERSON” VISIT.
– RULE 7.3, ABA MODEL RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT.
If an attorney, or someone acting on behalf of an attorney, contacts you in this manner, that attorney is in violation of this Rule. This unethical and unprofessional activity on the part of the lawyer is good sign that you should stay away. It is imperative that you are represented by an attorney who is capable of advocating for you within the confines of the law, and an attorney who fails to abide by the Rules of Professional Conduct is probably not the best fit. In fact, any such attorney should be immediately reported to the local State Bar Association. If you have been contacted in such an unsolicited manner, contact us and we’ll assist you in filing a report.
Contingency Fees Disclaimer: “Contingent attorneys’ fees refers only to those fees charged by attorneys for their legal services. Such fees are not permitted in all types of cases. Court costs and other additional expenses of legal action usually must be paid by the client.”
College students living in on-campus dormitories or apartments need to be aware of potential fire hazards in their building and how to react in case of emergency. The National Fire Prevention Agency (NFPA) warns, “educating students on what they can do to stay safe during the school year is important and often overlooked.” As such, the NFPA has developed safety tips, particularly addressing fire hazards in dormitories and off-campus housing.
