How to ensure your hotel guests’ safety

There are many factors to consider when you run a hotelier business. Once you know which market you plan to tap into, you will have many different ways available to stand out from the crowd. In-depth research of nearby properties will be required to see exactly what is working and what isn’t for other establishments in your sector.

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You need a strong marketing plan to find out how you’ll best make a return on your investment. Figuring out your unique selling point is key to succeeding. However, one aspect which must be the same throughout every hotel is safety. Your guests’ safety is paramount to your business. Here, we look at how you can correctly safeguard your hotel:

Staff uniform

Okay, so this may be a no-brainer, but it’s amazing how many people overlook it; having corporate uniform is a must. Not only does it help your business look professional and smart, but it also gives your guests a clear view of who they can approach about a query, and who indeed is allowed in certain areas of the business. In guest areas, knowing who members of staff are is essential. This is because it shows that your company have guests’ safety at the forefront due to staff always patrolling the areas.

CCTV

Make sure your guests are aware that CCTV cameras are in operation to put their mind at ease. IP CCTV systems are a great way to monitor your hotel and can even be accessed remotely. Certain systems also come with a voice command option, which means that if you spot any wrong-doing, you can quickly warn those involved to stop their actions.

Electric

When you run a hotel or a guest house, be sure to organise regular Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR). This is because, since your business is constantly running, your systems can be subject to wear, tear, corrosion and overloading. Such a report, which must be carried out by a qualified electrician, will ensure that the electrical appliances in each room are fit for purpose.

If you carry out these checks on a regular basis, you’ll limit the chance of electrical shocks, fires and accidents. This, therefore, will reduce accidents in the workplace – something which is a legal requirement since the introduction of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.

Gas

Just like your electrical appliances, your gas mains and appliances require a periodic check. The Gas Safety Regulations 1998 states that you must arrange annual gas safety checks for any appliances that are serving guest accommodation, even if it’s sited away from the guests’ rooms.

In addition, allow yourself time to properly train your staff on how to safely use any gas appliances and how to check for any issues. This will help them be able to spot obvious faults. This could include any damaged pipework or connections. While any new installations must be carried out by someone who isGas Safe-registered, anyone can change a LPG gas cylinder or hose once they are competent to do so.

Every hotel must also have a carbon monoxide and dioxide alarm fitted. These alarms can signify any fault and help you avoid any catastrophes. They should give an audible alarm when levelsare dangerous and should be able to automatically shut off your gas system.

Have a clear emergency response plan

Emergency plans can save lives. Therefore, it’s vital that your team is well aware of what to do in the event of an emergency. Regular meetings with law enforcement and emergency services should be scheduled so you have a good communication plan in place and can update it as and when required. In doing so, you can prepare your staff so that everyone is calm and knowledgeable in a worst-case scenario.

Aneil Handa, Director of the Cairn Collection ,said: “We make sure all our staff have sufficient training to know how to act in an emergency. Communication is key as it’s clear we must be calm and composed in critical moments as this can help us make sure both our guests and staff members are as safe as possible and can help avoid possible catastrophes.”

Online data

While your guests’ physically safety is important, so too is their data. Hotels have become a prime target for cyber attacks. According to a report by PwC, the hospitality industry has the second-highest number of cybersecurity breaches, with most of the prominent hotels in the industry having fallen victim to breaches.

You can reduce this risk by regularly updating your systems to keep your files and information safe.You should also be making sure that backing up your data becomes a habit, so you can eliminate the risk of losing it or having it irretrievably damaged. A recommended strategy is to use a cloud service daily, have weekly server backups, andfollow these up with quarterly server backups and then yearly backups.

As is the case in regards to your personal devices, password security is also important. Be sure to change it often and make sure you change it any time a staff member leaves to avoid any breaches.

As safety remains such a massive part of the hospitality industry, it’s vital to keep on top of the methods you use. Following the above steps should help provide your business with a great insight on how to keep your guests as safe as possible.