Hotel Security & Safety
Posted by Mathew Clarke on Monday, January 10, 2022 Under: Hotel Security
Understanding your unique selling point and knowing which audience to market your business to are key to succeeding and maximizing profit. However, one aspect which should be a consistent consideration for every hotel is safety. Your guests’ safety is paramount to your business. Here, we take a brief overview of how you can safeguard your hotel.
Using CCTV
You want your guests to feel safe and installing security cameras is a logical way to achieve this. However, just having a surveillance system in place isn’t enough. Be sure to constantly monitor your setup, even if this means hiring a third-party company to do so. Certain systems also come with a voice command option, which means if you spot any wrongdoing, you can quickly warn those involved to stop their actions. You can even utilize a cloud closed-circuit TV storage system so that you can view your property from a control room, smartphone or a tablet 24/7.
Emergency Response Plan
Your staff team should be fully briefed about what to do in the case 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.
Electric
Your electricity supply is a potential security issue, so a regular electrical installation condition report is needed. Since your business is constantly in operation, 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.
Schedule in periodic checks. Doing this will ensure you are limiting the risk of electrical shocks, fires and accidents, therefore reducing accidents in the workplace.
Gas Safety
Gas safety is another important consideration, similar to your electricity supply. Your business gas supply and associated appliances should be periodically checked. It's a good idea to arrange annual gas safety checks for any appliances that are serving guest accommodation, even if it’s sited away from the guests’ rooms.
Staff training in all aspects of your business is key to success, and this includes safety. It’s important that staff have full training in the operation of any gas appliances—and this should include spotting any obvious faults by using visual checks. This could include any damaged pipework or connections.
Carbon monoxide and dioxide alarms are a must. These alarms can signify any fault and help you avoid any catastrophes. They should give an audible alarm when levels are dangerous and should be able to automatically shut off your gas system.
The Staff Uniform
Obvious maybe, but a staff uniform is an important security measure. 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.
Securing Online Data
Security doesn’t end with physical safety: Hotels have become a prime target for cyberattacks. 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 online data security risks and ensure the safety of files and information by keeping on top of your systems and regularly updating them. 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 and follow these up with quarterly server backups and then yearly backups.
Just as it is for your own personal devices, password security is also important for your business. Change your passwords often and make sure it’s changed any time a staff member leaves to avoid any breaches.
There is much to consider for those in the hotelier industry, but safety shouldn’t be an afterthought. It’s crucial to keep on top of the methods you are using. Following the above steps should help provide your business with a great insight on how to keep your guests as safe as possible.
In : Hotel Security
Tags: hotel security uk