As we reach the peak of the hurricane season in the Atlantic, this is the perfect time to make sure you have all of the recommended safety items in your Airbnb listings. Even if you don’t live near a coast, you should always be prepared with basic safety items in case your guests have an emergency during their stay.
So what are the recommended Airbnb safety items you should stock your listings with? Below are the items I strongly suggest you include:
Fire extinguisher
You should have at least ONE fire extinguisher that is easily accessible at all times. You can purchase a rechargeable or disposable fire extinguisher for less than $15; it doesn’t matter which one you get as long as you replace it or recharge it right away after use.
I always include a First Alert Tundra Fire Extinguishing Aerosol Spray right next to the stove. It goes without saying most fires start in the kitchen, so keep the can visible near the stove and other locations around the property. Remember to let guests know where the fire extinguisher is located on your welcome or safety sheet.
First aid kit
A pre-made first-aid kit is another recommended Airbnb safety item must. Buying a pre-made kit saves time and money over buying individual supplies and assembling a kit yourself. Even though most guests will only need band-aids and an occasional ibuprofen, you should still keep a complete kit on hand for their use.
If you’re hosting with a private room(s) in your home, place the kit in the bathroom nearest to your guests bedroom. If you’re hosting an entire place (vacation rental), you should make it visible in a common area like on top of the fridge or a shelf in the bathroom.
Carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke detectors
All Airbnb hosts should install working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in their listing—many states mandate it anyway—and you should test them once a month. I love the new combo devices on the market, because it’s one less thing you have to install.
If you have fuel-burning appliances on more than one level of your home, you should have a carbon monoxide detector on each floor. You should also have a smoke detector in every room.
Good news! Airbnb is currently giving away CO detectors to the first 36,000 eligible hosts with an active listing. To sign up visit: https://www.airbnb.com/home-safety
Night Lights
You should remove any hazards that might cause guests to trip or fall, especially in the dark. The easiest way to prevent accidents is to install night lights throughout the space, so guests can navigate your home in the dark. If you’re on a budget I recommend these LED Night Lights, they come in a pack of 4 and you can spread them throughout the house.
Outside, consider installing motion lights or programmable timer switches for existing light fixtures. Remember, your guests don’t know your home like you do, so make it as easy as possible for them to get around.
Natural Disasters
If you live in an area that is in the path of hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes or other natural disasters, check with your local authorities for recommended items. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends you prepare an emergency food supply with a long shelf/storage life. Things like canned food and dry mixes that are easy to prepare. They also recommend you have at least one gallon of water per day for each person and each pet.
Airbnb hosts should always stay informed and up to date on any pending or ongoing natural disaster affecting their property. If mandatory evacuations are in place, you must be in contact with any existing guests to alert them to get out of the property—and the area—right away.
Do you have a safety card?
If a guest encounters an urgent or emergency situation, it’s important they know who to call, what to do, and where to go. This is what the Safety Card is for.
This card should include important information that hosts can easily provide guests, like emergency phone numbers, locations of fire extinguishers, fire alarms, and emergency exit routes. Once filled out you can print it out and post it for your guests.
If you live in areas where natural disasters are common, it’s also a good idea to include other safety items and their locations (like bottled water and canned food) in your house manual in case of a natural disaster. The more information your guests have about the recommended Airbnb safety items you have provided them with, the better equipped they will be for their stay.
Happy (and safe) hosting,
P.S. If you enjoyed this blog I think you will also enjoy Airbnb Cancellation Policy: What’s Best for You and Your Guests?
