I really liked seeing the personal safety while traveling advice. I recall watching a PBS NOVA special called "Escape! Because Accidents Happen!" series and the one on fire safety was quite compelling and informative. In it, Gary Briese, then Executive Director for the International Association of Fire Chiefs (www.iafc.org), gives the following several tips when traveling and staying at large hotels:

1. Request a room no higher than the 7th floor and facing the street. Most big city fire departments can reach that high.

2. Ask if the rooms are both sprinkled and equipped with smoke detectors. When you get to your room test the detector.

3. Check for fire extinguishers in the halls. See if their inspections are up to date.

4. Check where your closest exit is from your room. After getting settled in your room, count the doors from your room to the fire exit.

He closed by saying that one's family deserves to have you come home  and not get a phone call in the middle of the night.

Good advice - I try to use it when traveling. Feel free to pass it along.

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