SAFETY

and
SECURITY

In

HOUSEKEEPING
 GENERAL SAFETY ANS SECURITY
MESURES FOR GUESTS

1. If possible, all the entrance to the hotel should be

secured with full time security guard. Entrance without
guards and unauthorized personnel.
2. Provide for roving guards who will monitor movements
within the hotel premises, particularly in
guestrooms and surrounding areas. In some hotels,
there is a floor guard in every floor or areas who logs
down and report movements in the guestroom like the
entry of visitors (including the date, time, and
description of their guests).Many losses in guestroom
are due to theft wherein the joiner is the culprit. When
the hotel is aware of movements in the room, it easy to
track down who is responsible for theft or crime.
3. Suspicious looking persons and objects are to be
reported to security office or duty manager
immediately for proper investigation.
4. In the event that suspicious object is found in the
premises of the hotel, the following shall be
undertaken.
 Do not touch the object nor open it for it may be a
bomb that will explode.
 Report to the Security Office or Duty manager.
 Security Office or Duty manager will coordinate with
bomb experts to check the object.
 If the object is proven to be a bomb or explosive, the
surrounding areas around the explosive shall be
cordoned.
  Guest and occupants within the affected area will be
asked to vacate the said area.
 A bomb disposal squad shall be asked to handle the
emergency.
 Caution everyone to calm down and assure them that
everything is under control.

5. Inside the hotel, guests’ identity, room number or

whereabouts should not be revealed to anyone unless
advised to do so by the guest himself as when he is
expecting visitor. Guests usually give instructions when
they expected visitor. More strict measures are taken for
dignitaries, VIP’s government officials.
6. All calls of house guests should be screened.
 Ask for the name of caller.
 Tell the caller “let me check if he is in his room” (even if you
are sure he is there).
 Verify if the caller part if he wants to entertain the call.
 Turn over the line to the guest only if he says he wants
to receive the call.
7. Advise guest or visitors (especially foreigners) not to
entertain people or transaction business with unknown
and suspicious persons.
8. If you notice a suspicious joiner leaving the room of a
guest, make it a policy to check with the guest for any
theft before allowing the joiner to leave the hotel.
9. During the room make up and housecleaning,
always be on alert for safety hazards found in
guestroom or elsewhere. Safety hazard refers to
anything that can cause accidents, fires or injury
like: dangling wires, open electrical outlet, frail
cords, broken tiles, slippery floors or spills of water;
food or oil on floors, smell appliances, sparks, etc.
 KEY HANDLING AND CONTROL

1. Keys for lockers and cabinets are to be in the custody of

designated custodian or stock clerk. He shall turnover
said key it the duty manager at the end of his shift.
2. Key custodian should never lend his keys to anyone nor
allow someone to open cabinet and get stocks thereat.
3. Room keys come in triplicate copies – one for the guest,
one for housekeeping and the other with duty manager’s
desk. Room boys, chambermaids or room attendant are
given a copy of the key when they are assigned to do
room make up. Some hotels leave it to the floor
supervisor to handle the key and open doors for room
attendants when they are scheduled for room make up.
4. In receiving and returning keys, always log in and
sign in the logbook so that it is easy to trace who is
accountable if ever it guest lost.
5. Room attendant are advised to attach their uniform
so that it does not get lost.
6. Misplaced or lost keys must be reported
immediately to the supervisor.
7. If a room key cannot be found, change it or
interchange the lockset of the room to another room
and floor so that the finder cannot open the door.
8. Turn over key with proper endorsement. Let the
receiving party sign and acknowledge receipt of
said key.
9. If a guest happen to leave his key to his room and
request a supervisor or a room attendant to open his
room, it is important that the identity of the guest be
verify first. The room should not be opened unless
one is certain that he is indeed registered occupant.
In case of doubt, ask for his/her guest ID for proper
identification. Never open room joiners or relatives of
the guests.

10. If the room attendant is asked to open a guest’s

room, ask for the guest’s key just to make sure he is
the registered occupant.
KEY HANDLING AT THE FRONT DESK

1. Required guest to leave their keys at the front desk

when leaving the hotel to make sure they do not
leave it elsewhere.

2. Give room key only to registered occupant. If in

doubt, ask their guest ID.

3. Never give the key to the guest’s joiner, visitor or

even his/her nearest relative unless there is a
written authorization from the guest himself.
SAFEKEEPING AND ISSUANCE OF KEYS

1. When not in use, all key-sets should be kept in a

day cabinet.
2. Set of keys should only be issued to appropriate
employees as needed each day at which time they
sign for their keys.
3. The main key cabinet must be kept locked at all
times.
4. Keys should not be brought out of the hotel
property by any employee. If the concerned key
holders need to leave the hotel during the day,
he/she must turn over their keys to their respective
supervisor who will log down the turnover.
5. All sets of keys are usually equipped with either
hardened steel key ring-belt clip combination, or
a leather key case and belt.
6. To avoid losing the keys, attach it to belt or
around the waist.
7. Employees receiving keys will acknowledge and
sign in the logbook, indicating the set numbers.
8. Keys must be endorsed by outgoing staff to
incoming room attendant, night supervisor or
night room cleaner at the end of the working
shift. The turnover must be acknowledge0-
signed by both the endorsing and receiving
party.
9. All keys should be sight- inventoried by the Night
supervisor or Night room cleaner in charge at the end
of the evening shift (11:30pm). Any loss or discrepancy
will be reported immediately to the Executive
housekeeper.
10. At the end of each with the cabinet locked, and the
housekeeping office locked.
11. There is a special set of keys designated “OPENING
KEYS.” This set will have a key to the area in which
keys are kept, and key cabinet in the set. This set of
keys can be left in the custody of the front desk (night)
manager when the housekeeping office is locked. They
will be picked up each morning by the supervisor in
charge of opening the house, and will be returned to
the front desk (night) manager each evening as the key
area is locked.
FIRE SAFETY – PREVENTION AND CONTROL

Fire prevention Measures in Hotel and Lodging Houses

1. If possible, discourage or ban guests from cooking

or ironing inside the room as this may trigger fire
when the user is careless. Most hotels make this a
part of their rules for guests.
2. Do not use combustible materials as waste
containers in as much as there is a risk that smoker
will throw their lighted cigarette butts unto them.
This can spark fire
3. Provide for the following safety facilities:
 Fire alarm system
 Fire hose
 Fire extinguisher in designated areas
 Exit locator posted inside the room of the guest,
usually at the back of the entrance door.
 Fire smoke detector
 Fire sprinkler
 Luminous fire exit sign
 Safety instruction to guests in case of fire and
emergencies.

4. Always add water to ashtrays before emptying them into

the trash can.
5. Given special attention to the laundry room as dryer gets
very hot and can ignite fire. Regularly check and clean the
line traps several times, everyday.
6. Provides for emergency lights instead of candles in the
case of power interruption. Guest might sleep with lighten
that can be neglected and spark fire.
7. Do not forget to install “NO SMOKING SUGN” in fire-
prone areas like near LPG gas, etc.
8. Check regularly the electrical installation and have all
frayed wirings, damaged sockets, switches and other
defective electrical fixtures changes or repaired promptly.
9. All electrical installation, repairs and change should be
undertaken be a competent individual or licensed
electrician.
9. Do not leave wiring dangling nor drape them over pipes
or nails as this can be a fire hazard. Never run electrical
cords under rugs. Cords of portable electrical
appliances should be short as possible.
10. Flexible cords should never be used for fixed wiring nor
should they be spliced, tacked, stapled, or otherwise
fastened to combustible wall or woodwork.
11. Do not overload electrical circuit by profusely putting
extra light and appliances.
12. Combustion and other flimsy material should not be
placed near bulbs. Long exposure to the heat of lighted
bulbs can raise the temperature of proximate objects to
such degree as would be enough to eventually generate
fire.
13. Combustion and other flimsy material should not be placed
near bulbs. Long exposure to the heat of lighted bulbs can
raise the temperature of proximate objects to such degree
as would be enough to eventually generate fire.
14. Do not replace blown or busted fuses with coins, wire or
any metal to short-circuit the current. Standard fuses are
manufactured for the purpose of rejecting the load of
circuits. Lighting circuit should be equipped with 15-
ampere fuses.
15. Minimize damage or injury from by fire taking preventive
action ahead of time.
 Keep halls and doorways clear of carts and other obstruction to permit
smooth exit in case of fire.
 Report broken or missing exit sign, alarm, fire extinguisher and other safety
equipment and tools.
 Learn the evacuation route, including the nearest and alternative exits and
how to report a fire.
 CONTROL MEASURES IN CASE OF
HOTEL FIRE

1. If a fire alarms sounds, follow proper evacuation

procedures
 Knock in each room and announce fire.
 Escort guest toward the nearest fire exits.
 Use stairs not elevator.
1. If you discover a fire:
 Active a fire alarm if it is already out of control
 Call the fire fighting team, usually in the engineering or facilities
maintenance office. If there is no such team, call the telephone
operation who will call for rescue at the fire department.
 If it is a small fire, help to extinguish it using the fire
extinguisher.
 Always be sure the fire doesn’t block your exit.
 SAFETY AT HOME
GUIDELINES FOR DOMESTIC HOUSEKEEPERS

FIRE PREVENTION MEASURES AT HOME

1. Do not leave the stove unattended while cooking is being
done.
2. Never let the stove get red hot.
3. Always put the fire and switch off the regulator value in
the stove when you leave the house or before going to
bed. Most fire occurs at night.
4. Keep stove at least a foot distance from any combustible
wall or siding.
5. Do not use gasoline or any flammable liquid in lighting a
fuel in the stove. Instead, use a piece of cloth or paper
soaked in the liquid
6. Extinguish with water all live charcoal when done with
the kitchen chores.
7. Provide metal waste cans for stove ashes, refuse,
floor sweeping, etc. where oily waste and rugs are
used, keep them in metal waste can with self-closing
metal cover.
8. Never open fire to examine the gas leak, gas meter.
Never take open light into the closet.
9. Do not keep or store any flammable substance in the
kitchen.
10. Do not heat wax, paint or polishing substance over
open flames.
11. Never allow furnace, steam pipe or hot Water pipes to
come in contact with wood work or combustible wall.
12. Do not use just any kind of stove polish or clean
mixture unless very sure of what is in it, it might
contain flammable or combustible material.
13. Clear or chimney, furnace and stove regularly of
accumulated soot.
14. Repair or replace worn out or broken parts of the
chimney, furnace, stove.
15. Protect any woodwork or combustible surroundings
wall from radiated heat by means of non-combustible
insulators
16. Make sure all gas connections are tight. Avoid rubber
or flexible tubings.
17. Keep matches in the kitchen in metal container and
out of reach of children.
18. Make sure that all gas stove have no leaks.
19. Do not strike a match before opening the valve of a gas stove
or oven
20. Keep kerosene cans outside the house.
21. Do not leave flammable objects is hot place.
22. Do not substitute home remedy fuse to a burned fuse.
23. Never leave lighted candles unattended. It can fall without
you knowing and ignite fire it once it catches a flammable
material.
24. Do not overload electrical outlet nor use octopus connection
to prevent fire.
25. Be sure that oil cookers or lamps do not leak and do not
over- turn.
26. Keep store burners clean and do not turn the flames to tight.
27. Do not allow the floor beneath the kerosene to be soaked
with oil.
28. If possible, never leave kerosene can outside the house.
29. Never leave the kerosene uncovered.
30. If repairs are needed do not attempt to do the job unless
competent to do so. Make service request from a
professional technician.
31. Do not use any pipe line or appliances until the leak is
corrected.
32. If you are about to install a new gas cylinder is turned an
empty one, be sure all valves are shut off before the new
cylinder is turned on.
33. Always observe the usual precaution if seeing to it that an
oven is not filled with gas before lighting. When burners are
equipped with pilot light, they should be provided with
automatic shut off should the flames get blown out or
otherwise fail to light and burn.
 In case of Fire at Home

1. Extinguish it with the use of fire extinguishers.

2. If the fire is of type A classification it can be
extinguished by pouring water into it.
3. Don’t use water for fires that emanate from faulty
wirings as this can cause electrocution and
serious damage. Call for help.
4. When a kettle or pan catches fire, do not pour water
on burning fat or lard. In the absence of extinguishers,
use or pour earth, sand or baking soda or cover with a
metal cover that is big enough to cover burning kettle
or pan.
5. Turn off the valve of stove if a burner flame is
observed.
6. Fire spreads quickly; a speedy attack is essential. If
anyone is near, tell him to report the outbreak and then
give assistance. Extinguishers can only be uses with
small fires.
7. Do not continue to fight a fire if it is dangerous to do so
as when:
There is a possibility that the escape route may be
cut off by fire or smoke.
If the fire continuous to grow in spite of your efforts.
If there are explosives in the vicinity of the fire.
8. Extinguishers should be recharged immediately after
use, irrespective of whether they have been completely
or only partially discharged. Some extinguishers must be
turned over to operate.
Home Safety Tips

1. Never use any appliance that is damaged or a stove

that has a leak
2. keep all chemicals, medicines, matches, tools and
knives out of reach of children
3. dry all wet floors at once because they are slippery
and can cause slips and injuries. Wipe them with dry
cloth. Oily spills maybe removed with warm water
which should be dried at once.
4. Unplug unused appliances and close unused
cabinets.
5. Do not use electrical appliances when electrical
cord or its plug gets hot.
6. Do not use electrical appliances with exposed wires
or broken insulators.
7. Do not allow children to slide along stairs railings as
they may fall.
8. Keep all toys in their proper storage after use to
avoid slips.
9. Have a first aid kit available at all times.
Common Danger Spots That Can Trigger
Accidents

 Scattered rugs- Make sure they are placed or

tacked on non-slid mats.
 Electric cords- Keep them off the floor and fasten
then so that no one can trip on them.
 Bathtub or Showers- a non slip mat should be used
to eliminate the serious threat of falls while bathing.
 Kitchen- In cooking and washing, occasional spills
and grease spots are bound to happen. Wipe them at
once. Liquids on the floors make slips and slides
inevitable.
 Stairways- Be sure they are well lighted. Firm
handrails should be provided. Toys and others
objects should not be left on stairs or the landing
area.
 Check ladders for possible defect or worn out tiles.
 Do not read while going up or down the stairs.
 Do not carry objects that will obstruct your view
while going up the stairs.
Prevention of Accidents

Type of Accident How to Avoid Them

 CUTS 1.Use knives properly with the blade

away from the body.
2. Do not grab knives.
3. Pick up broken glass with
sweepers and dustpan, not with
your hand.
 BURNS 1.Use dry side towels for handling
hot pans and pots.
2. Keep pot handles away from the
aisles.
3. Open hot water faucets carefully
to avoid splash.
4. Open pot covers with the tip
away from you.
 FALLS 1. Keep floors clean. Wipe spills
right away.
2. Remove all obstructions on
floors like scattered toys, rugs, etc...
3. Do not stand on boxes tables or
chair to reach high objects. Use the
stairway to prevent accidents. Do
not over reach.
4. Do not block your view when
transporting objects. Make sure you
see where you are going
 STRAINS 1. Do not attempt to carry too
heavy loads.
2. Lift objects properly as mentioned
next page.

Preventing Exposure to Pathogens

1. Wear personal protective equipment.

2. Handle potentially contaminated items as little as
possible
3. Use proper container for disposal of items.
4. Clean contaminated areas.
5. Thoroughly wash hands after using chemicals
Moving and Lifting Safely

1. Wear the right shoes. Working shoes should be slip resistant,

with a closed toe and fit to give the best comfort.
2. Watch where you are going to prevent slips and falls.
3. Use door stopper and not linens or objects that could cause a
slip or fall.
4. Turn on lights and look at all sides before entering any room.
There maybe spills or broken glasses on the floors that needs
to be cleared.
5. If broken glass is found, sweep the floor and place the glass
in a container separate from the trash.
6. To push the room boy’s cart easily, check if it has
sticking wheels. Without it, it will be harder to push and
could injure the user. Remove sticking Thread on the
wheels.
7. Loose screw or sharp edges could catch on one’s
clothing and can cause cuts.
8. When pushing the cart, lean forward into the cart, rely
on one’s legs and feet not unto one’s back or across
the body.
9. Pull or maneuver the cart in very short distances.
10. Keep the cart close, use feet and legs and not the
arms and shoulders.
11. In case a cart falls down, do not try to stop or stand it
up by alone. It is heavier than you think and can cause
accidents. Ask for help.
Lifting Objects
1. Bending with the knee is easier than on the back, nor with the
waist, whether one is tucking in sheets, picking up a laundry or
cleaning a tub.
2. When reaching for something, especially in the tub, never
stand on the edge of toilet bowl. You might loose your balance
and fall.
3. Do not hang unto the soap dish or shower head as it may
break and cause injury.
4. Do not stand on a terry bath mat or towel since it has a slippery
surface.
5. The safest way to reach the walls around the tub is to stand in
the tub, close to the walls so you can reach high surfaces
without over stretching.
6. Check the size of the object and get help if it is too heavy.
7. Do not rotate mattress or move heavy furniture alone.
8. To lift safety, bend at the knees and hips, not at the back
and keep the load close to body. Keep back and head
straight and avoid twisting.
9. Lift with your legs and not with your back, so you do not
have to stoop.
10. If it is hard to reach an object comfortably, use an extension
handle tool.
11. When kneeling on floor, cushion your knees with bath mat
or towel.
12. Use your body weight in pushing and pulling the
vacuum, not just your arms and shoulder. If you
vacuum correctly, a relax grip on the handle is all
you need.
13. To avoid slipping, hold the cord and coils as you go.
14. Keep the cord of cleaning machine out of walk-way
in public areas.
15. Use your body weight in pushing and pulling the
vacuum. Not just your arm or shoulder. To avoid
slipping, hold the cord and the coil as you go.
16. Do not overload laundry cart to make it easier to
pull.
Handling Chemical Safety

1. Read the labels and the materials safety datasheet.

2. Wear personal protective equipment like goggles and
hand gloves for protection from spills and splashes.
3. To use the chemical correctly, follow the direction of
the label.
4. Use only one chemical for its intended purpose.
5. Be sure the correct chemical goes in a properly
labeled container when refilling spray bottles.
6. Cap of bottles/containers should be tight and the
broken nozzles must be replaced to prevent drips.
7. Never mix chemicals; the result can be potentially
deadly like fumes created by mixing bleach with
ammonia.
8. Use the right amount of chemical. Excessive amount
may damage surfaces.
9. If a chemical spills, block the surface. A minor spill
can easily be cleaned up. If not sure of how to clean
up a spill, ask the supervisor.
10. If a chemical spill blocks your skin, rinse as directed
in the material safety data sheet.
11. If your eyes are exposed and contaminated by a
spill, rinse it with clean water and get immediate
medical assistance.
First Aid for Accidents

1. Be calm. Do not panic.

2. Take the injured person to the clinic or to as safe
place if there is no clinic.
3. Inform your supervisor right away. Make an
accident report.
4. In case the accident is caused by electrical
power contact, do not touch the victim. Turn off
the main switch first before moving him to a safe
place.
5. For light burns, apply cold compress.
6. For heavy burns bring to the clinic or hospital.
7. Never open blisters.
8. If a person is fractured, do not move the victim so as
not to cause more serious injury. Call for
professional help.
9. If there is so much bleeding apply clean cloth on the
wound and transport to the hospital immediately.
Security tips at home

1. Keep all doors of the house locked at all times.

2. Do not entertain unknown callers nor allow them to
enter the house. There are robbers who are in
disguised as suitors or lady maids with an intention
to get inside the house and steal.
3. If there are service men, meter readers or collectors
attempting to enter the house, ask for their proper
identification (ID) first before allowing them to get
inside and never leave them alone while they are
doing the service.
4. Do not give personal information to unknown callers like
address of the house, names of persons in the family,
telephone numbers etc. The caller may have evil motive for
seeking such information and you will be putting the family in
a dangerous predicament.
5. Be careful of syndicates who play their tricks on ignorant
people especially house maids. One of them is a gang that
attempts to call a house and tells the receiver of the call that
an employer or a member of the household is sick or has
met an accident and that he is advised to get money and
valuables and bring it to a certain place for the caller to use
in the treatment. If such call is received, get the full name of
the caller and telephone number if there is a caller ID to refer
to. Then call the police and give information. Call your
employer for verification and inform him of the incident. Keep
the house closed and take extra precaution..