There’ll be so much on your mind when establishing a hotelier company, such as how to ensure your establishment catches the eye over rival hotels, deciding the target audience that you’re going to focus on and looking into techniques that will help you to make a return on your investment.
Don’t forget to consider the safety of guests staying at your hotel as well. Here’s six tips that will help you to safeguard your establishment in next to no time…
1. Check your electric supply
A regular Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a must when you run a guest house or hotel. This is because, since your business is constantly running, 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.
These checks need to be carried out periodically. That way, you’ll be limiting the risk of electrical shocks, fires and accidents, and therefore reducing accidents in the workplace – something which is a legal requirement since the introduction of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.
2. Check your gas supply
Also carry out regular checks on both your gas installations and appliances. The Gas Safety Regulations 1998 states that you must arrange annual gas safety checks for any appliances that are serving guest accommodation, even if it’s sited away from the guests’ rooms.
Be sure to train all staff members on how to correctly use every one of your hotel’s gas appliances too. Show them how to carry our visual checks as well, so they can spot obvious faults. This could include any damaged pipework or connections. While any new installations must be carried out by someone who is Gas Safe-registered, anyone can change a LPG gas cylinder or hose once they are competent to do so. Ensure that your gas cylinder is stored correctly, too. This will ensure not only your employee’s safety but that you will know where it’s kept at all times. Websites like Storemasta sell heavy-duty gas cylinder storage units, so make sure to shop around before you buy!
Are carbon monoxide and dioxide alarms installed around your guest house or hotel as well? 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. You can get support from companies such as Ph-El
3. Staff uniform
All of your hotel’s members of staff should be wearing corporate uniform. 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.
4. A clear emergency response plan
Does your hotel’s team know what they need to do in the event 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.
The Cairn Collective director, Aneil Handa, pointed out: “We make sure all our staff have sufficient training to know how to act in an emergency. Communication is key as it’s clear we must be calm and composed in critical moments as this can help us make sure both our guests and staff members are as safe as possible and can help avoid possible catastrophes.”
5. CCTV
Install security cameras throughout your hotel or guest house and people staying in one of your rooms are sure to feel reassured about their safety. However, just having a surveillance system in place isn’t enough. Be sure to constantly monitor your set-up, even if this means hiring a third-party company to do so. Certain systems also come with a voice command option, which means that if you spot any wrong-doing, you can quickly warn those involved to stop their actions.
6. Protecting your online data
It isn’t just the physical safety of hotel guests which is important these days. Hotels have become a prime target for cyber attacks. According to a report by PwC, 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.
By updating your IT systems regularly, there’ll be less chance of your company being the victim of a cybersecurity breach and more chance of your information and files being kept safe. 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.
Use passwords across your business? Be sure to change them often and also make sure you change them any time a staff member leaves to avoid any breaches.