How to create a guest safety information notice

To keep your guests safe and meet your legal duties, you must display a clear safety information notice in every guest room. This notice is a vital part of your fire safety procedures and should include fire evacuation instructions, key emergency contact numbers, and the full address of your property so guests can direct emergency services without delay.

What to Include on Your Notice

Your notice needs to be easy to understand in a stressful situation. Use clear headings, simple language, and consider using symbols. Here’s a checklist of the essential information:

• Fire Evacuation Plan: Provide simple, step-by-step instructions. For example: "In case of fire, do not stop to collect personal belongings. Exit your room, close the door behind you, and proceed to the nearest fire exit." A simple floor plan diagram showing the route from the room to the final assembly point is highly effective.
• Emergency Services Number: Clearly and prominently display the number 999 for Fire, Police, and Ambulance services.
• Your Emergency Contact Details: Provide a mobile number for yourself or a designated manager who can be contacted in an emergency.
• Full Property Address: Include the full building name/number, street, town, and postcode. A guest in a panic may not know the address, and this is crucial for directing emergency services accurately.

Design and Display Tips

How you present the information is just as important as what it says. A well-designed notice is more likely to be read and understood.

1. Keep it Clear and Simple: Use a large, easy-to-read font (like Arial or Helvetica) and avoid clutter. Use bold headings to break up the information.
2. Make it Durable: Print the notice on good quality paper and have it laminated. This protects it from damage and makes it easy to wipe clean.
3. Position it Prominently: The back of the main guest room door is the standard and most effective place for a safety notice. It's a location guests will naturally see and can be found easily, even in a dark or smoke-filled room.

Top Tip: Once you've designed your notice, physically walk the evacuation route from each room to ensure your instructions are accurate and make sense from a guest's perspective. This simple check can make all the difference.

Creating this notice isn't just a box-ticking exercise; it’s a fundamental part of being a responsible host. It provides peace of mind and ensures everyone knows exactly what to do in a worst-case scenario.