Traveling is one of the most fulfilling and wonderful experience everyone should be able to do at least a few times in their lives. Seeing unfamiliar sights, experiencing new cultures, and even just smelling how different the air in a different place is are just some of the wonders of traveling.

But it’s not always fun under the sun, and sometimes things take a turn for the worse. No matter which destination you choose, you should know that an emergency can happen at any time and place.

One of the worst things that could happen to you when traveling is experiencing an emergency fire during your vacation. For safe and enjoyable travels, here are important fire safety precautions you need to know.

1. Pick a secured place to stay

In choosing your accommodations, do research online on what previous visitors have said about the place in terms of facilities and safety. Pick one that has good reviews and ratings or those that are recommended by family members that have been there before.

If you’ve picked the Philippines as your next getaway, especially during summer, then you should consider going to Boracay. You can explore the beautiful beachfront, wonder at the fine white sand, and turquoise water. But being in a tropical country, summer temperatures can rise well above 35°C so it’s best to know fire prevention tips for the Philippines specifically.

2. Ask the front desk about fire safety plans

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Whether it be a simple hostel or a hotel with amenities like Alta Vista de Boracay, most hotels make sure that all rooms and premises have adequate fire safety devices. But to be safe, check if your hotel room safety devices such as sprinklers and smoke detectors are in place.

You should check the fire extinguishers too — some might be expired or worse — the hotel might not have enough on hand should an emergency arise. If your room doesn’t have these hotel room safety devices in place, you might want to choose another accommodation for your lodging.

3. Review the fire escape plan

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Every hotel room must have a laminated sheet of paper which contains the details and steps you need to take when an emergency arises. It indicates where you are on the hotel floor and where the emergency exits are located. Be sure to read the instructions and make yourself familiar with which routes to take.

Hotels usually have one or two fire exits in place per floor, take time to know which one is nearest to your room so you can be prepared. In case the nearest exit is blocked, it’s also best to know where the other fire exit is located.

4. Don’t smoke and play with fire indoors

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This seems like an obvious tip, but you’d be surprised on how many fires are started this way. Playing with fire is one of the easiest ways to get complacent and forget how dangerous it actually is. Remember that one of the most crucial fire safety facts is if you don't need a fire, don't start and play with one.

If you’re a smoker, never smoke in your hotel room. An unattended cigarette could cause a fire without you noticing. It’s not just a fire hazard but a health hazard as well. If you need to smoke, step outside and head to the designated smoking area.

5. Don’t charge devices all at the same time

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If you take a lot of pictures on your smartphone or camera, you probably think that you should charge them all at once. This is one of the worst things you can do. It’s also one of the simplest summer travel safety tips out there.

Never plug too many gadgets on electrical plugs. Charging any electrical device creates heat. Now imagine multiplying that heat 3 to 5 times because of the number of smartphones, cameras, and power banks you would be charging at the same time. Another well-known cause for fires is faulty electrical gadgets, which when plugged can erupt into flames. So double check if your wires, electrical gadgets, and hotel plugs are working properly.

6. Keep your gadgets dry at all times

Water damaged smartphones when plugged into a power socket or power bank can cause batteries to short circuit. This could eventually lead the phone to catch fire. Be sure to you keep your gadgets protected while you travel, especially at beaches and near large bodies of water.

If ever you drop your phone or other electrical devices in water, don’t plug them in right away even if the outside is completely dry. The phone’s inside parts might still be wet and damage your phone even more.

7. Know all emergency numbers

You should always be informed about international travel safety tips as the simplest information can help you through calamities and emergencies like earthquakes and fires. If you’re in the beach capital of the Philippines, take note of all the emergency numbers in Boracay, so you know who to call for help. Write the numbers down or save them on your phone just in case you need it.

8. Don’t get complacent

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Emergencies such as fires aren’t your only problem. Other situations are in your control but not having the right information could cause you a few problems along the way. If you are unsure about what these situations are, you can read this short guide to get familiar with more common occurrences that could ruin your summer trip and what you can do to prevent them from happening.

The month of March is Fire Prevention month, you should always be alert and aware of what to do in case of an emergency. Whether you are traveling to Boracay or any other country you should always remember these basic travel fire safety tips.

It never hurts to know basic fire safety tips and precautions especially when you’re in a foreign place. Being informed and knowledgeable of what to do in case of emergencies may not make your travels more fun, but they could keep you safe from harm the entire trip.

Traveling? Keep These Fire Safety Tips in Mind