Making safety upgrades to your vacation rental property isn’t only the right thing to do; it minimizes your liability and builds trust with your guests. Safety is a significant selling point when it comes to attracting bookings. An increasing number of guests factor safety features into their booking decisions. The good news is there are a number of safety improvements you can make without breaking the bank.
Justin Ford, Director of Safety Programs at Breezeway, recently spoke to the San Diego Short-Term Rental Alliance about how owners can mitigate risk and ensure their properties are safe havens for guests.
Use high-quality furniture designed for vacation rentals and make sure all furniture is secure
Using sturdy products that are as close to commercial-grade products as possible helps protect guests from mishaps. Use wall anchors and arrange furniture to reduce the risk of something tipping over or becoming a tripping hazard.
Be aware of things that can cause “slips, trips, and falls” in your vacation rental
From area rugs to furniture, “slips, trips, and falls” are some of the leading causes of injuries in a short-term rental.
Audit your lighting inside and out
Guests should never need to use a cell phone to enter the property at night. You can easily avoid the risk of an injury by making sure the outside of the home is properly lit and that the inside has plenty of accessible lights as well.
Triple-check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Make sure all your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your vacation rental are working correctly with regular maintenance checks. This is the single most important thing you can do to ensure guest safety.
Check your fire extinguisher
Not only should you have a working fire extinguisher, but it should be in a place that is visible and easily accessible to your guests.
Stock first aid kits
Stock your vacation rental with safety kits and make sure guests know where to find them.
Make sure your grill is in a safe area
Grills should be placed in locations with 9 feet of vertical clearance and 10 feet away from combustibles.
Conduct structural reviews
Regularly inspect your vacation rental’s exterior structures, such as decks, stairs, etc., and keep up on necessary repairs.
For more information on ways you can make sure your property is safe for guests and to minimize your risk, download Top Safety Strategies to Minimize Your Risk today >>
To learn more about protecting yourself and your property, check out Breezeway’s Safety Program.