When you go on vacation, it’s easy to get into the mindset that you can ignore all of your usual responsibilities. And, while it’s one thing to ignore your work calls and turn off your phone, it is another thing entirely to forget about basic fire saftey principles that you usually adhere to.

Consider this: hotel and motel fires cause an estimated 15 deaths and 150 injuries every year. A lot of these pointless fatalities happen because people are careless and sloppy, and think that anything goes when on vacation. But the truth is, fires are indiscriminate.

By all means enjoy your vacation, but keep in mind these tips that will keep you safe from fire in a hotel:

Don’t Smoke
Just because you are no longer in your home doesn’t mean anything goes. If you think that smoking in your room is a luxurious indulgence, think about how many structure fires are caused every year by stray embers from indoor smoking. Take your cigarette outside instead of endangering yourself and the other guests.

Have an Evacuation Plan
The first thing you should do when you check in is note the fire exits, extinguishers, and other saftey features installed in the hotel. If anything was to happen, you would know immediately which direction to go, and be able to lead others there. It’s also a good idea to ask the business representatives what evacuation plans they have in place. In a survey of 119 businesses, only about 35% had any kind of fire evacuation plan.

Make Sure Your Hotel Has Sprinklers
The combination of automatic sprinklers and early warning systems in big buildings could reduce overall injures, loss of life, and property damage by at least half. So before you make the reservations, inquire about the fire protection system in place and any other saftey measures.

Vacation is a time to relax, so the last thing you’ll want to think about is whether or not you and your family are same and protected by fire alarm systems and a fire sprinkler system. Rest easy knowing that the fire protection system in your hotel is as good as the one in your own home.