The Growing Importance of Hotel Safety and Reception Duress Alarms
The safety of hotel workers and guests has come under increased scrutiny. High-profile incidents of violence and threatening behavior have led to calls for improved safety measures in the hospitality industry. In response, many cities and states are enacting new legislation to require hotels to provide panic buttons and other safety devices to their employees.
New York City recently passed the Safe Hotels Act, which mandates that hotels obtain licenses and adhere to strict safety requirements, including providing panic buttons to workers, maintaining 24-hour front desk staffing, and keeping rooms clean. The bill had the strong support of hotel worker unions and the city’s district attorneys, who noted the disproportionately high rate of criminal complaints originating from hotels.
On the other side of the country, the city of Anaheim, California, home to the Disneyland Resort, implemented a law on January 1, 2024 requiring hotels to provide panic buttons to any workers who enter guest rooms alone, such as housekeepers or room service attendants. Hotels must notify guests of the new safety measures via in-room signage. Staff must be trained on proper use of the devices, which can be either handheld alarms or smartphone apps that alert hotel security or management to the employee’s location when activated.
As more municipalities pass hotel safety laws, savvy hotel owners are proactively implementing duress alarm systems to protect their workers and stay ahead of potential regulations. Leading the charge in this area is Jet Hotel Solutions, a provider of cutting-edge duress alarm and communication solutions for the hospitality industry.
Jet Hotel Solutions offers the RelayX, an ultra-rugged, high-performance device that replaces traditional walkie-talkies and standalone panic buttons. The RelayX leverages redundant 4G/5G cellular, Wi-Fi, and private LTE networks to provide unparalleled connectivity and reliability. Its loud, clear audio and rugged, water-resistant design make it ideal for the demanding hotel environment.
When a worker activates the RelayX’s duress alarm, it instantly transmits their precise location to hotel security, allowing for a rapid response. The device also enables push-to-talk voice communications, with optional real-time translation for up to 30 languages – a valuable feature for hotels with multinational staff.
RelayX integrates seamlessly with the full Relay platform, which includes staff management tools, analytics dashboards, and asset tracking for a comprehensive solution. With a 3-year warranty and no-cost upgrades included, Jet Hotel Solutions makes implementing a modern panic button system worry-free for hotels.
As Frank Debellis, Inventory Manager at food distributor Ace Endico noted after deploying RelayX, “The Relay device has significantly improved our safety and security by introducing a panic alert feature. Panic alerts have taken safety and security to the next level with a press of a button.”
For hotel operators looking to enhance worker safety, improve security response times, and modernize communications, reception duress alarms like RelayX from Jet Hotel Solutions provide a compelling solution. With plug-and-play installation, enterprise-grade durability and connectivity, and an array of valuable features, these devices can help hotels stay compliant with evolving regulations while demonstrating their commitment to staff and guest well-being. Interested hoteliers can learn more at https://www.jethotelsolutions.com/relay-family/.