Amid summer travel surge, Ohio fire marshal spotlights hotel safety inspections
With the summer travel season underway, the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal is spotlighting the efforts of its Code Enforcement Bureau to keep hotels, motels, and other commercial lodging across the state safe and sanitary for guests.
Approximately 78% of Americans plan to vacation this year, and Ohio remains a premier summer destination. In 2024, tourism generated a $57 billion economic impact and drew 242 million visits across the state, including 48.5 million overnight stays. From lakefront escapes and theme parks to small‑town festivals and bustling entertainment districts, Ohio is The Heart of it All when it comes to opportunities for families to relax and recharge.
But vacations aren’t fun unless they’re also safe, which is why the Division’s Code Enforcement Bureau works behind the scenes to conduct nearly 10,000 inspections of nearly 2,000 hotels and motels annually – and that number continues to rise as more lodging establishments open. While visiting more than 141,000 rooms across the state, inspectors check for both fire‑safety compliance and basic sanitation.
“Summer is the time of year to unplug, enjoy some well‑deserved vacation, and make memories with friends and family,” said State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon. “Our inspectors are out there every day conducting routine inspections of licensed hotels to ensure they are safe, clean, and in compliance with state building and fire codes. We want every hotel guest to feel confident when they check in for their stay.”
Examples of fire safety-related items inspectors look for include missing annual certifications for fire alarms, sprinkler systems, and fire extinguishers, while sanitation issues include items such as suspected mold or mildew, stained mattresses or carpets, and bedbugs. In the event a violation is found, inspectors conduct follow-up visits to ensure any discovered issues are resolved prior to the arrival of guests.
To ensure the best experience possible, the Division encourages guests to review online customer feedback before booking a hotel stay and to examine their room before they make final payment. Once a guest pays for a room, dissatisfaction typically becomes a civil matter between the guest and the hotel.
Anyone can report suspected safety or sanitation issues via the Division of State Fire Marshal’s portal here. Once a complaint is received, inspectors are sent to investigate the matter. It also isn’t a bad idea to make sure the hotel or motel has an active license, which can be done by accessing the eLicense portal by clicking here.
Bedbug concerns are among the most frequent complaints the Division receives. Although many reports turn out to be misidentified insects, such as carpet beetles, confirmed cases require the hotel to hire a licensed exterminator. In addition, inspectors must verify successful treatment before the room can be rented again to guests.
To help ensure a safe and clean stay, the State Fire Marshal recommends the taking the following steps:
• Check reviews before booking. Look for recent customer experiences detailing cleanliness, safety, and staff responsiveness.
• Inspect the room before paying. Walk through the space and look for obvious sanitation issues, damaged alarms, or strong odors that may indicate mold or mildew.
• Keep your luggage in your vehicle at first. Before bringing belongings inside, inspect the bed area for signs of bedbugs.
• Check for bedbug indicators. Pull back the corners of the sheets and examine the mattress edge for reddish‑brown spots, which may indicate bedbug activity. Look behind the headboard and inside nightstand drawers as well.
• Confirm safety equipment is present. Note the locations of sprinklers, alarms, and emergency exit maps posted inside the room. Report any missing or damaged safety features to hotel staff.