It’s not a scenario you want to deal with, but hotel fires are a real danger. Here’s what you should do during one, just in case.

If you wake up in the middle of the night to the sound of a fire alarm in your hotel, the first thing you should do is not panic.

Stay low, as carbon monoxide and other poisonous gases tend to rise up.

Next, make your way to the door, but don’t open it.

Test the doorknob–if it’s cool and you can’t smell smoke, make your way to the stairs immediately.

If it’s warm to the touch, wet a towel and wedge it under the door.

Then, turn on all of the faucets in the bathroom.

That’s not to prevent you from burning… it’s to generate steam that will soak down particulate matter that can help keep the air as clean as possible.

Remember, it’s not the heat or burning that claims most victims of fires, but smoke inhalation. So stay low to stay safe.

For more information, check out Travel Safety & Security.