Your guests do not know your property the way you do. If an alarm sounds at 2am, what you have told them at check-in could be the difference between a calm exit and panic. That is why clear guest fire safety information is one of the most valuable things a Wiltshire owner can provide.
What guest fire safety information to include
The Home Office guidance says suitable fire procedures must be developed so that guests know what to do, and that someone in short-term accommodation is unlikely to be familiar with the premises. It recommends a simple plan drawing, which could go on the back of the bedroom door, plus information in a welcome pack. The All-Wales guidance suggests a simple plan showing escape routes in the guest information pack.
The essentials
Your pack should cover the escape routes and the location of exit doors, how to raise the alarm, and how to call the emergency services. The guidance stresses including the correct premises address and postcode, especially if the postcode might not pinpoint the location, which matters for remote Wiltshire properties down unnamed lanes. Mentioning a what3words location is a practical modern addition that helps the fire service find you fast.
Tell guests to get out
The core message is simple: leave by the nearest available exit if a fire breaks out, and call the fire service from outside. The guidance is clear that guests should not be expected to use firefighting equipment, and that evacuation always comes first. Keep the wording calm and direct so it is easy to follow under stress.
Cover your specific risks
Tailor the pack to your property. Include your smoking policy, guidance on any log burner, instructions for charging e-bikes safely, and a reminder to close doors at night. If your let is a flat in a block, explain whether a stay-put or evacuate policy applies, since guests may not understand the concept.
Keep it current
The All-Wales changeover checklist asks whether fire safety information sheets are still in the guest pack and in their correct locations. Check this at every changeover, and make sure the pack matches your fire risk assessment after any change.
Get advice if unsure
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service can offer guidance, and a competent assessor can help you build a pack that fits your property.
What belongs in the guest pack
Because guests are unfamiliar with the property, the information you leave them is part of your fire safety, not an optional extra. A simple, clearly displayed notice should cover what to do if the alarm sounds, the escape routes and final exits, where the assembly point is, and how to call the fire service. Add property-specific points: how to use the log burner safely, your smoking policy, and any rules on candles or charging e-bikes. The Home Office guidance recommends giving short-term guests this information precisely because they do not know the building. Keep it brief and visual, since a wall of text by the door rarely gets read. Many owners display the key points on a single laminated sheet, with fuller detail in the welcome folder, and include a copy of the fire risk assessment as the post-2023 guidance encourages.
Refresh the pack whenever something changes, such as a new appliance or a revised policy, and date it so you can show the information guests received matched the property at the time.
Get the right advice for your property
Want help putting together clear guest fire information? For advice tailored to your property from a competent professional, speak to Jamie at ESI: Fire Safety on 01276 300 351.
