Keeping Airbnb guests safe and sound during their vacation is a huge priority for vacation rental property owners. Although incidents on Airbnb are rare, emergency situations can happen anywhere and anytime.
It’s your responsibility as a host to make your place safer for guests and ensure they will access help in case of emergency as quickly and easily as possible. So keep reading to learn what you can do to minimize safety risks to guests and provide them with the necessary information.
If you are new to Airbnb, you may also be interested in the Airbnb host checklist of essential things you will need to provide your guests to ensure a perfect guest experience.
Do You Have Airbnb Safety Card?
If an Airbnb guest encounters an urgent or emergency situation, it’s important they know who to call, where to go, and what to do. That’s why in 2014, Airbnb launched emergency safety cards to make it easier for hosts to identify fire extinguishers, fire alarms, gas valves, and emergency escape routes.
The card was supposed to appear in the listing, but Airbnb also suggested that hosts print them to display in their properties. Hosts could download an Airbnb safety card and complete it for guests. Then they could print and display the emergency card in their listings, ensuring guests have all this relevant information in one easy place.
An Airbnb safety card included contact information of emergency services together with an evacuation map that hosts need to fill out. Unfortunately, this card is no longer available, but you can easily communicate this safety information in a message with check-in instructions. Although writing effective messages to guests takes time, you can easily automate this process with short-term rental software like Hospitable.com.
Have conversations with your guests even when you sleep
You can also create an emergency card yourself using an editable template (you can find such templates online). It should include important information that gives a clear idea of actions in case of emergency, for example,
Emergency phone numbers (medical, fire, and police)
Address of your property
Location of fire extinguishers
Location of fire alarm
Location of a gas shutoff valve
Emergency evacuation instructions
Emergency exit routes.
Safety Tips for Hosts: Best Practices
Airbnb encourages both hosts and guests to stay aware and take certain safety precautions when they’re hosting or traveling. So what can you do to make your space safe for your guests? Here are some tips based on the best practices.
Set Clear Rules
Don’t assume that guests are as vigilant about safety and security as you are, so you should provide them with safety reminders. You can create guidelines for your guests by completing the House Rules, creating an Airbnb safety card, and a House Manual with detailed instructions. This way, you can set clear rules for guests around etiquette and safety to help them know what to expect.
Equip Your Home with Safety Items
As fire is one of the biggest risks in any home, you should take measures for fire prevention. You should have a functioning smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector.
Airbnb recommends installing a smoke alarm on every level of the home and outside each sleeping area. For a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm, you should install it in the hallway of your home near sleeping areas.
It’s also important to ensure that your property meets government safety guidelines for your area. You need to provide a functioning fire extinguisher and complete the required maintenance.
Make a first aid kit easily available to ensure that guests have the necessary tools in the case of an accident during their stay. Make sure you check expiration dates and periodically restock. Accidents can happen at any time and any place, but a first aid kit can help prevent small accidents from becoming big problems.
What if you live in areas where natural disasters are common? Then it’s also a good idea to include other safety items (e.g., bottled water, canned food, flashlights) and their locations in your house manual in case of a natural disaster. The more information your guests have about the safety items you have provided them with, the better equipped they will be for their stay.
Minimize Hazards to Prevent Accidents
Go through your home to identify any areas where guests might trip or fall—you should either remove the hazard or mark clearly. Fix any exposed wires. It’s also essential to ensure stairs are safe and have railings and sufficient lighting.
Don’t forget to remove or lock up any objects that could be dangerous to your guests. Ensure that all detergent and cleaning products, as well as over-the-counter medicines, are kept well out of reach of children.
You should also leave detailed instructions for safely using home appliances. This can help avoid traveler accidents and prevent property damage
Provide Emergency Plan and Contact Info
Establish an emergency plan for your home and make it easily accessible to all guests. Your plan should include two ways to escape from every room in your home and the contact information for local emergency services. Make sure that you have a clearly marked fire escape route.
You should indicate local emergency numbers and the nearest hospital. And don’t forget to provide a clear emergency contact number for yourself, as well as contact numbers of trusted friends who live nearby and may be able to help. You should also clarify how a guest should contact you if they have questions or issues arise.
Your guests are sure to appreciate your effort in communicating all the necessary information clearly and concisely so they can always use it for reference. This way, you’ll increase your chances of getting positive guest reviews. As a result, you’ll be able to increase bookings and grow your Airbnb business, and Hospitable.com can help you streamline your operations and work more efficiently.
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Conclusion
All Airbnb hosts should take measures to ensure safety for their guests. That’s why they need to keep safety information and equipment handy. It’s important to equip your vacation rental property with the safety essentials your guests might need during their trip.
This includes a working smoke and carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, and a first aid kit. You should also provide an Airbnb safety card with information on how to get in touch with local authorities in case of emergency and safely leave your house or apartment.
Have more questions about the specifics of the hosting on Airbnb? Check out our article to find tips on how to start an Airbnb business and become a successful Airbnb host.
