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| Staying safe from hostel blazes - x[posted anonymously]x | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
anonymous Msg: #1 5 years ago, October 22nd 2004 | I need your views!!!! I've stayed in some dodgy joints whilst travelling. At times its crossed my mind whether the hostel is safe from fire. Would you use a portable smoke detector to be safe? What are your feelings about fire safety on your travels? |  iamback Marjolein Katsma Post Count: 31 Msg: #2 5 years ago, October 30th 2004 | I have a somewhat philosophical attitude towards risk when travelling. | First, I believe that in general, "risk" for humans almost anywhere on earth is about equal. (Yes, standing on a high mountain may be risky, but you don't run the risk there of being run over by a tram.) But, when travelling, risk may be perceived as increased, Why? Because many of the real risks at home are known risks, and you know how to avoid them or deal with them - you've learned that as a child. When you travel, you'll suddenly encounter new risks, ones you haven't been trained to avoid, and may not see. At home, maybe, you know not to step into a ditch: you recognize a ditch, you can estimate how deep it is, you know how to handle that situation. But when you go to a a desert, do you recognize which type of sand is safe to step upon? At home, you know which way to look when crossing the street to see if it's safe; but when you go to a country where the traffic is on the other side of the road (or "any" side!) you may well look the wrong way out of learned risk-avoiding behavior - and thus put yourself at risk. (I had a couple if near misses that way!) So, when I travel, I know that there will be unknown risks. At the same time, some of the risks at home won't be there (I'm far less likely to have my handbag stolen in Iran than in Amsterdam.) Some risks though (like a fire hazard, or traffic situations) may be expected, but still hard to deal with. Which do you fear the most? There may not be another place to sleep where there is no fire hazard; and you may not be able to avoid a dangerous descent along a narrow and slippery mountain road. No, I don't carry a portable smoke detector (no matter how portable, it's extra weight and at least extra bulk). Do I fear a blaze? Hardly - dying in a blaze can be a "soft" way to go, as most victims are already unconscious from carbon monoxide poisoning before the flames get to them: you won't know, you'll just be dying in your sleep. I fear that mountain descent along the slippery road much more - if we topple over the edge, I may be an invalid for the rest of my life, and I fear that more than sudden death. So - when I travel I just accept there will be unknown risks, ones that are different from the risks I face at home. And I accept there will be risks I cannot do anything about. As in the story my primary school teacher told us: a man who stayed at home because of the risk of travelling had a lamp falling on his head - and died at home, in his own chair. Risks, even unknown risks, are everywhere. Personally, I'd rather die when travelling than at home! I even have a "prefered death": dropping dead at age 85+ on the steps of yet another airplane! ;-)  Ali Ali Watters Post Count: 3926 Msg: #3 5 years ago, November 2nd 2004 | Fire in hostels does happen - the Childers backpacker hostel fire June 2000, (Queensland, Australia)... |  Some survivors and parents of victims have raised questions about the failure of the fire alarm, the absence of smoke detectors and sprinklers, and the lack of fire extinguishers. World Socialist WebsiteSeven British backpackers died in the fire on 23 June 2000, alongside three Australians, two Dutch travellers, and tourists from Korea, Japan and Ireland.Guardian - this was an arson attack - and eventually Robert Long was convicted.It is the responsibility of the hostel operators to ensure that apropriate levels of saftey equipment are provided - they didn't in this case - a portable smoke detector might have saved some of the victims but proper saftey equipment would have saved everyone. As for risk to an individual - the chances of dying on the road - in a bus/car are much higher than that of in fire. So lets add a portable seatbelt to the luggage list, maybe an airbag too, pepper spray, packsafe - where do you stop? I won't be carrying a portable smoke detector any time soon - not unless it gets combined in with my alarm clock or some other necessity I already carry. > First, I believe that in general, "risk" for humans almost anywhere on earth is about equal. I broadly agree - though there are some hot spots especially at the moment. I don't think that risk is evenly distributed amoungst each of us though - lack of common sense dramatically increases risk for an individual - I've seen this lots of times...  Savage Mark Savage Post Count: 531 Msg: #4 5 years ago, November 2nd 2004 | I won't be carrying a portable smoke detector any time soon - not unless it gets combined in with my alarm clock or some other necessity I already carry.Ahem... You were saying? Travel Clock / Torch with Intruder Alarm and Smoke Detector iamback Marjolein Katsma Post Count: 31 Msg: #5 5 years ago, November 2nd 2004 | Ahem... You were saying?Travel Clock / Torch with Intruder Alarm and Smoke Detector LOL! Looks about ten times as bulky as my travel alarm clock though - and I note they don't mention size or weight... by the looks of it it's not going to end up in my luggage. Ali Ali Watters Post Count: 3926 Msg: #6 5 years ago, November 2nd 2004 | No way! - someone has invented all my great ideas :) Ok - so I rephrase... | I won't be carrying a portable smoke detector any time soon - not unless it gets combined in with my alarm clock or some other necessity I already carry - and someone spends $60+ dollars on a christmas present for me and it weighs no more than 50% extra of my existing alarm clock...am I covered now ;)> I note they don't mention size or weight My first question as well... Measures just 7 1/4" x 2 3/4" x 1 1/4" and weighs 10 oz. when assembled for travelSharper Image Website Ali Ali Watters Post Count: 3926 Msg: #7 5 years ago, November 2nd 2004 | 7 1/4" x 2 3/4" x 1 1/4" and weighs 10 oz = 21cm x 7cm x 3cm and weighs 250g -- not bad - but not so great, and they've dropped the price $30 now :) | Number of Users: 4 | Number of Posts: 7 | |||||||||||||||||
