Hotel Panic Buttons: A Worthy Investment

Why Hotels Should be Investing in Panic Buttons

Hotel panic buttons have become an essential feature for many hotels worldwide, offering a range of benefits, from improved safety and security, to improved productivity. By adopting a panic button system, hotels can protect their employees and guests, reduce the risk of legal action, and improve operational efficiency. With increased concerns over safety and security, many hotels have adopted the use of panic buttons to ensure the safety of their employees and guests.

What Are Hotel Panic Buttons?

Hotel panic buttons are employee safety devices used by hotel staff to alert management or security personnel in case of an emergency. These safety buttons are usually worn by housekeeping staff or other employees who work alone or those who work in isolated areas. Once activated, panic buttons send emergency alerts with the precise location, down to the floor and room number of the employee in distress. Allowing employees to receive assistance immediately.

Why are Hotel Panic Buttons a Necessity?

Hotel employees, especially those working in guest rooms are often required to work alone and are often isolated from the rest of their teams, as a result they are vulnerable to harassment and assaults. A recent study found that 58% of women working within the Hospitality Industry were victims of sexual harassment or assault while at work. Hotel panic buttons play a critical role in ensuring the safety of hotel employees and guests by offering a quick and effective way for staff to alert security personnel or management in the event of an emergency, such as violent or threatening situations. Panic buttons can help to prevent or reduce the risk of assault, theft, or other forms of criminal activity.

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Benefits of Panic Button Systems

Protect Employees Anywhere on Hotel Property

Hotel panic buttons help employees to better respond to co-workers and guests who are in distress. Panic buttons are not only beneficial for guest room staff, but they are also beneficial for employees who work in any area of the hotel. Employee safety devices can help to protect front desk associates, restaurant workers, employees who work in pool areas or those who work in hotel spas. Equipping them with safety devices allows them to get assistance immediately when faced with medical emergencies or threatening situations.

Attract Prospective Employees

The Hospitality Industry is currently facing a major labor shortage, a survey conducted by the AHLA found that nearly 80% of hotels were experiencing staffing shortages and 22% considered those shortages to be severe. Investing in a panic button system will aid in the effort to attract more candidates, by offering prospective employees a safe work environment. Safety is important to employees and hotels that take employee safety seriously are more likely to stand out to potential employees.

Retain Employees

Staff turnover rates in the Hospitality Industry is significantly higher than in other industries and rates now slightly exceed pre-pandemic levels, room attendant turnover is over 103% annually. Employees are more likely to stay with hotels where they feel safe and supported. Investing in an employee safety system will ensure that employees are able to send out emergency alerts when they are in unsafe or uncomfortable situations and know that they will receive assistance immediately.

Protect Your Hotel Brand

Negative incidences that are associated with your hotel have the potential to reach billions of people worldwide and can have an adverse effect on your hotel’s reputation. Negative reviews about your hotel will influence prospective guests, as 90% of consumers read reviews online before choosing a business. At least 50% of Americans google companies before conducting business with them, therefore investing in a safety device system can mitigate the risk of negative incidences being associated with your hotel.

Meet Brand Standards and Legal Requirements

Numerous cities and states have passed hotel panic button laws and have set specific guidelines as to what constitutes as a panic button device. Major hotels brands have also specified panic button requirements that their properties are required to adhere to. Panic button devices should have the ability to provide precise location information down to the exact floor and room number and as the location changes, panic button devices should send updates in real time. This will allow responders to locate the distressed employee within minutes of an emergency alert.

Panic Button Implementation

Implementing a hotel panic button system requires careful planning and consideration. Before adopting a panic button system, hotels should evaluate their current security measures, identify potential risks and vulnerabilities, and develop an emergency response plan. It is also crucial to select a panic button system that is user-friendly, reliable, and easy to maintain.

Training is also crucial when implementing a panic button system. Hotel staff should receive comprehensive training on how to use the panic button system, as well as emergency response procedures in case of an emergency. Regular training and testing of the panic button system should also be conducted to ensure that it is working correctly.

Hotels must also ensure that panic button devices meet legal and brand standard requirement, as numerous cities and states have passed hotel panic button laws and have set specific guidelines as to what constitutes as a panic button device. Major hotels brands have also developed panic button brand standard requirements that their properties are required to adhere to.

Key Features of Hotel Panic Buttons

Panic button devices should be wearable.
Panic buttons should provide geolocation capability with the ability to locate employees down to room-level accuracy.
Panic button devices should be easily activated by a single action like a push, pull or tap.
Panic button devices should provide a sustained signal without delays caused by entering passwords or waiting for the system to turn on.
Panic buttons should have the capability to dispatch responders immediately when an emergency alert is sent.
Panic button devices should minimize unintentional activation and resist possible disabling by attackers.

Vendor Spotlight: RelayPro

Hotel panic buttons are a new requirement for hotels, but they don’t have to be a new expense. RelayPro was recently approved by Marriott, IHG and Choice hotels and has been installed in nearly 2,000 properties. RelayPro is BOTH a 4G/Wi-Fi walkie talkie and a cutting-edge panic button with VOICE communication.

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