By Marcy Ost
People in your community may not think about fire safety when they are on vacation but the number of times your departments are being called to hotels, motels and vacation rentals is growing significantly every year.
As you can see, there is a considerable number of false alarm calls but that number isn’t putting a dent in the number of legitimate calls.
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) communication focus for the month of June is hotel and vacation rental fire safety. They have several suggested social media posts, graphics and stock photos, handouts and pictographs here. 
Another significant factor in lodging safety is carbon monoxide concerns. According to the Jenkins Foundation, “between 1989 and 2018, there were at least 183 documented cases of CO poisoning in US hotels, resulting in at least 49 deaths and more than 1600 poisoning injuries.” I understand that number sounds low. Especially when spread out over the whole country and 10 years but incidents are definitely on the rise. In the last ten years North Dakota fire departments have seen a steady increase in the number of hotel CO calls.
It’s important that our communities know there are no federal requirements for the installation of CO detection/alarms in hotels or vacation rentals. The Jenkins Foundation provides a checklist to share with them:
- ALWAYS carry your own CO alarm (airlines allow them in both carry-on and checked bags – you may need to remove the batteries if you pack them in your checked bag).
- When reserving a hotel room or checking in, ask if they have CO detection installed – consider staying somewhere else if they don’t.
- Ask similar questions when reserving a vacation rental. Airbnb and VRBO provide a search option to select rentals with CO alarms installed.
- When you arrive, be sure to check for CO alarms on the walls/ceilings. If you can’t tell what the devices are or if they are missing, contact the host or the front desk for clarification.
- Leave feedback to let hotels and hosts know how important CO alarms are to you. Until there is adequate legislation requiring these devices in hotels and vacation rentals, we all have the power of our voice and our choice to facilitate change in the travel industry.
Virtual Education and Connection Opportunities:
- June 12 - NFPA CRR Kitchen Table - Champaign, Illinois’ Jeremy Mitchell will be on hand to discuss his approach to CRR as a Firefighter Safety Intervention. Let me know if you’re interested and I’ll forward you the invite.
- June 20 - The National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Association (NCOAA) is hosting an interesting webinar. Called “Portable Generator Solutions: Safeguarding Against Carbon Monoxide, Fire, and Electric Dangers,” you can find more info here.
- June 21 – ND’s CRR Kitchen Table – Grand Forks will be presenting their UND fire safety program. If you’re interested in getting on the invitation list for this very exclusive club, let me know, and I’ll see what I can do!
In the News:
Bismarck Airport Fire Chief celebrates retirement
Resources: