On 3rd February 2007, a fire swept through a small hostel in Chile, killing 10 foreign tourists. Two of the victims were bloggers on GetJealous.com.
The hostel in Punta Arenas was not fitted with smoke detectors, and the deaths were all due to suffocation. In other words, as is generally the case with hostel fires, it was the smoke that killed them and NOT the flames. A simple smoke detector would doubtless have alerted them in time, and thereby saved lives.
Savvy travelers need to be aware of fire safety. If a hostel can`t be bothered to buy smoke detectors to ensure its guests’ safety, it probably doesn`t deserve guests.
Following the Punta Arenas fire, a company called FlareBrand has posted on their site a one-page free, downloadable guide on how to survive a hostel fire. Please have a read and pass it on to your friends.
GetJealous.com has received two FlareSafe devices (a combination smoke detector, torch and personal alarm), manufactured by FlareBrands, to give away to our members. These devices cost more than a standard detector because they use the more expensive optical detector method (because you are not allowed to take radioactive substances, used in cheaper standard smoke detectors, on board a plane). Then again, when compared to one’s life, the sum of around £50 is not much at all.
To enter the draw to receive a FlareSafe device, just send your best safety tip to safety@getjealous.com. We`ll send a FlareSafe to two random entries, and publish the best tips at the bottom of this article.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to the friends and family of all the victims of this tragic event.
