Final answer:
Cooking accidents are the leading cause of hotel and motel fires, often resulting from unattended or misused cooking appliances. Hotels and motels combat this risk with strict fire safety protocols, regular maintenance, staff training, and emergency preparedness.
Step-by-step explanation:
The leading cause of hotel and motel fires is B) Cooking Accidents. According to multiple fire safety reports and statistics, cooking equipment is the most common source of fires in hospitality properties. This usually occurs when cooking appliances are left unattended or misused. Hotels and motels now implement strict fire safety protocols to prevent such accidents, including designated cooking areas and installations of automatic fire-suppression systems.
To minimize the risk of fires, it's essential for these establishments to conduct regular maintenance of electrical systems and heating equipment, enforce smoking regulations, and practice strict vigilance against arson. Additionally, staff training on fire safety and emergency procedures plays a critical role in reducing the likelihood and impact of fires.