Make Safety a Priority at Your Vacation Rental

brilliant vacation rental safety tips

The last thing you want your guests to be thinking about when they walk into your vacation rental property is their safety. You want your guests to know that they are protected and safe at all costs. As a short-term vacation rental property owner, you also want to do everything in your control to make their experience one to remember for the right reasons.

With safety not at the top of your guests’ minds, it’s important to take the necessary precautions at your property to ensure they have a safe and easy stay.

Housekeeping

Though housekeeping is essential for the look and cleanliness of your property, making sure you comply with all health regulations is just as important. Many listing sites such as VRBO and Airbnb have introduced new cleaning protocols and are requesting hosts to have their properties vacant of guests for at least 24 hours.

Consider hiring a professional cleaning company to deep clean after each stay or at least have them come out once a month. Cleaning a vacation rental property takes a lot of time and energy to make sure it is done properly. When running a full-time business, it may be hard to do it all, and a housekeeper or cleaning company will be able to do it quickly and thoroughly. Never forget that your guests expect the same standard of cleaning or better than what they would receive in a hotel.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are an easy place for a fall to occur. They are prone to wet floors and lingering moisture on areas such as walls and inside storage cabinets. Leftover soap residue can cause slippery showers and tubs. The CDC states, “One out of five falls does cause a serious injury such as a broken bone or head injury.” Preventing any fall at your vacation rental property helps keep you and your business from being in a sticky situation.

Try adding a non-slip mat for a layer of safety in front of toilets, tubs, and showers to prevent slippage. Even adding non-slip strips of tiles in the tub or shower for extra grip, can help reduce the chance of falls. Throw rugs are known to move and slid, so securing the rug down is extremely important.

Fire Safety

While fireplaces and wood-burning stoves are popular features for vacation rental properties, they’re also among the leading causes of home fires. It might seem obvious, but it’s really important to keep ignitable objects away from heating equipment. Blankets, electrical cords, and decorative items are often found around fireplaces and create a major hazard. Prevent an accidental fire by establishing a clearance area of at least three feet around your heating equipment.

Regularly test your smoke and CO detectors as part of your post-stay property inspection. Batteries for these devices should be changed every six months and CO detectors need to be replaced every five years. Be sure there is a fire extinguisher in the kitchen that is easily accessible and ready for use. Ensure all kitchen vents are cleaned regularly.

Grills & Fire Pits

Along with fire safety, grills and fire pits are very popular during the warmer months. Don’t snooze on the risks that come with having these amenities at your property. The National Fire Prevention Association says, “On average, 8,800 home fires are caused by grilling each year.” Follow these simple steps to help prevent your guests or home from getting severely burned.

Keep the grill at least three feet away from your property and spaced well away from deck railings, shrubs, or overhanging tree branches.
Clean out the grill after each guest and check for any potential risks.
Create a detailed guide for the grill that is easily accessible for your guests.

There is nothing like gathering around a cozy fire pit at the end of a long day and roasting s’mores with friends and family. Ensure safe practices for your guests by taking preventive measures.

Make sure the ground is level for portable fire pits.
Do not place your fire pit underneath low-hanging branches or decks.
Light up the area around the fire pit so people are still able to see where they are walking. This can be easily achieved by hanging LED string lights around the fire pit seating area.

Well-Lit Outdoor Spaces

A well-lit home helps keep unwanted guests from entering unnoticed and makes your vacationers more likely to see the steps and sidewalks leading into your property, thus preventing falls from poorly lit walkways. Added lighting behind shrubs and selected lights that highlight architecture or windows can warm your property’s appearance and welcome your guests back after an evening of exploring. Consider adding solar lights along the pathways.

Recreational Amenities

The recreational amenities you offer with your vacation rental property can allow you to charge higher rental costs and may help attract more guests. Certain amenities like swimming pools, hot tubs, canoes, kayaks, exercise equipment, and small watercrafts increase the fun your guests will have, but they can also heighten the chances of risk of someone being injured on your property.

Post instruction cards and safety warnings near exercise equipment and amenities like hot tubs. For example, posting notices saying exercise equipment users must be at least 18 years old, or no diving is allowed in the swimming pool, may help protect you in the event of a claim brought by someone who failed to follow those rules.

To keep unwanted guests out, be sure your pool or hot tub is fenced in. To view more safety precautions to take while opening your pool, click here to read our post on it.

Create a Guidebook

It is never a bad idea to be over-prepared. We suggest creating a booklet for your guests that emphasizes safety precautions you have in place, escape plans, emergency contact numbers and complicated appliances. Keep in mind that this could be a life-saving tool. Let your guests know everything you would want to know when staying at someone else’s home.

You may be able to avoid panicked phone calls or emails from your guests by writing down where everything is and how to use certain appliances. Even though creating a good welcome book will take some time, it’s an essential tool. Check out websites like Etsy or Pinterest for a downloadable template to help get you started.

Safety for You and Your Business

While these safety precautions for vacation rental property owners cannot completely eliminate risk, they can help prevent injuries happening on the property, reduce your legal liability risk, and help keep the guests safe and your business thriving. To learn more about protecting your short-term rental business through CBIZ Vacation Rental Insurance, request a free quote today!

This blog may contain scenarios that are provided as examples only. Coverage is subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy issued. The information provided is general in nature and may be affected by changes in law or the interpretation of such laws. The reader is advised to contact a professional prior to taking any action based upon this information.