Essential Airbnb Safety Checklist for Savvy Hosts

You’ve poured your heart and money into creating a beautiful short-term rental. The last thing you want is a lawsuit. The truth is, most legal trouble involving an Airbnb was likely preventable.

Having a solid Airbnb safety checklist is essential for your business. It is about protecting your guests and your property. A secure environment is a fundamental part of a great guest experience.

This list is your ultimate host checklist with ten insanely practical and affordable items. You will learn simple steps to create a safer space. The last item on this list is one we guarantee you have not thought of yet.

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1. Prevent Slips and Falls with Rug Grippers

• 1. Prevent Slips and Falls with Rug Grippers
• 2. Stock a Comprehensive First-Aid Kit
• 3. Keep Emergency Lock Keys Handy
• 4. Provide Flashlights and Extra Batteries
• 5. Use Night Lights for Safe Navigation
• 6. Include a Meat Thermometer in the Kitchen
• 7. A Knife Sharpener is Safer than Dull Knives
• 8. Your Essential Airbnb Safety Checklist for Smoke and CO Detectors
• 9. Install Fire Extinguishers (Plural.)
• 10. A Two-Story Fire Escape Ladder
• Frequently Asked Questions About Airbnb Safety
• Conclusion

1. Prevent Slips and Falls with Rug Grippers

Believe it or not, slips, trips, and falls are a leading cause of injuries in homes. According to information from the National Safety Council, these accidents are extremely common. The great news is this is one of the easiest problems to fix in your short-term rental.

Rug corner grippers are your best friend here. They are inexpensive, you can install them yourself in minutes, and they should be completely invisible. If a guest can see them, something is wrong.

This simple fix keeps your stylish rugs from becoming a hazard on hardwood, tile, or laminate flooring. It is a small detail that makes a massive difference in preventing accidents and potential liability. Adding these to every rug in your property is a quick and effective safety upgrade.

During every turnover, have your cleaning team check that the grippers are still secure. They can lose their adhesion over time, especially in high-traffic areas. This regular check maintains the safety standard you set.

2. Stock a Comprehensive First-Aid Kit

You probably think you have this covered with a basic first-aid kit. That is a great start, but is it the right one for a vacation rental property? A tiny, cheap kit with a few bandages will not be enough when a guest needs help.

You need a kit with a wide variety of supplies. Think about what a family might need for a minor kitchen cut, a scraped knee from a fall, or a sudden headache. Providing a well-stocked kit shows guests you are a prepared and caring host.

Your comprehensive first-aid kit should include:

• Multiple sizes of adhesive bandages.
• Sterile gauze pads and rolls.
• Antiseptic wipes and antibiotic ointment.
• Medical tape.
• Pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
• Antihistamines for minor allergic reactions.
• Hydrocortisone cream for bug bites or skin irritation.
• Tweezers and small scissors.

The most important part is checking the kit after every single guest stay. It is a critical step in our turnover inspection to restock any used items. This simple action shows you prioritize your guests’ well-being and safety.

3. Keep Emergency Lock Keys Handy

You know those tiny hairpin-like keys that come with interior door handles. They are lifesavers for a property owner. Sooner or later, a guest will accidentally lock a bedroom or bathroom door from the inside.

This is especially true when guests travel with children. A small child can easily push the button on a handle, close the door, and cause a major panic for their parents. Having these emergency keys readily available prevents frantic calls and guests trying to force a door open, which can cause expensive damage.

Buy a whole pack of them online, as they are very inexpensive and small enough to get lost easily. We recommend keeping a handful in a labeled container in a central, accessible location for your cleaners or for you. A utility drawer where you store extra lightbulbs and batteries is a perfect spot.

4. Provide Flashlights and Extra Batteries

Power outages can and will happen, sometimes due to storms or local grid issues. Your guests are in an unfamiliar house, and darkness adds a layer of stress and danger. It is your job as a host to help them navigate safely until the power returns.

Do not just stick one flashlight in a random drawer and hope for the best. Place several battery-operated flashlights in logical, easy-to-find locations. Make sure they are bright and easy to operate.

Consider creating a small power outage kit for your guests. Good spots for flashlights include under the kitchen sink, in the main bathroom cabinet, and in the nightstand of each bedroom. Also, think about providing an LED lantern that can illuminate a whole room.

Do not forget the backup batteries. This is not just for the flashlights but also for TV remotes and other battery-operated devices. Being prepared for an outage is a hallmark of a professional host and a key part of any vacation rental safety plan.

5. Use Night Lights for Safe Navigation

This safety measure directly addresses the risk of slips and falls at night. Your guests do not know the layout of your home like you do. They will be getting up at night to use the restroom, get a glass of water, or check on their children.

Plugging in a few night lights is a simple, low-cost solution. We especially like the ones that have a built-in light sensor, so they turn on automatically when it gets dark. This is a set-it-and-forget-it safety measure that works silently in the background.

The best models plug into the bottom outlet, directing light downward toward the floor and leaving the top outlet free for guest use. This makes it less likely a guest will unplug it to charge their phone. You can even find options that install directly into the outlet plate for a seamless, permanent look, which is ideal for stairwells and long hallways.

6. Include a Meat Thermometer in the Kitchen

Stay with me on this one because it sounds a little strange at first. One of the main reasons guests choose an Airbnb is for the kitchen access. However, they have no idea how your appliances cook.

Does your oven run hot or cool? Does the outdoor grill have specific hot spots? Your guests do not know, and guessing can lead to undercooked food and sickness. Foodborne illness is a serious concern, as detailed by the CDC, and can ruin a vacation.

Giving them a simple meat thermometer empowers them to cook with confidence. It helps them confirm that chicken, burgers, or roasts are cooked to the proper internal temperature. This small, inexpensive tool can prevent a vacation-ruining sickness and the negative review that would follow.

7. A Knife Sharpener is Safer than Dull Knives

This one might seem backward at first glance. You might be thinking that sharper knives sound more dangerous for guests. The opposite is true; dull knives are far more dangerous than sharp ones.

A dull knife requires more downward pressure to cut through food. This increases the chance it will slip off a firm vegetable like a carrot or a slippery tomato skin. That slip can easily result in a nasty cut for the person preparing food.

A sharp knife, on the other hand, glides through food with ease and better control. While your cleaning and maintenance team should be sharpening the knives regularly, that is not always enough. Leaving a simple, safe pull-through knife sharpener in a kitchen drawer gives guests a helpful option if they find a knife is not performing well.

8. Your Essential Airbnb Safety Checklist for Smoke and CO Detectors

This part of your host checklist is completely non-negotiable and may be required by law in your area. Every single property must have working smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. Go with a quality brand like First Alert, as this is not the place to try and save money.

You can use a combination smoke and CO detector, which is fine for most spaces. If you really want to provide top-tier guest safety, install separate units. Regular maintenance is just as important as the initial installation itself.

Test the detectors often and gently vacuum the dust off them so the sensors work correctly. Change the batteries before the manufacturer suggests, and always check them during your turnover inspection. Guests have been known to remove batteries if they accidentally set off a smoke alarm while cooking, so you must verify they are working before every new arrival.

Proper placement is also critical for detectors to be effective. Follow these guidelines for maximum protection.

Ensure every single sleeping area has a detector, including basements or converted garages if they are used as bedrooms. This is a fundamental aspect of responsible hosting.

9. Install Fire Extinguishers (Plural.)

Yes, you read that right, you need more than one fire extinguisher. You must have one in the kitchen, and you absolutely need another one outside near your grill or fire pit area. A single extinguisher is not enough to cover the most common fire-risk zones.

I know what you are thinking; they are big, red, and can be an eyesore. You cannot let your interior design choices get in the way of guest safety. A fire extinguisher hidden under a sink or in a closet is useless in a true emergency, as stated by the U.S. Fire Administration.

It needs to be mounted on the wall where it is visible and easy to grab. The placement should be near an exit but not right next to the stove, where a fire could block access to it. The good news is that some companies now offer extinguishers in more pleasing colors like white or silver.

More importantly, buy the right size and type. Those tiny, spray-can-sized extinguishers will not put out a real kitchen grease fire. Get a residential fire extinguisher rated “ABC” for the types of fires that happen in a home, and check the pressure gauge every single time you inspect your property.

10. A Two-Story Fire Escape Ladder

This is the one safety item most hosts never think about. If your rental property has a second story, how do guests get out in a fire if the main stairway is blocked by smoke or flames? Most residential homes do not have the complex water suppression systems that hotels do.

Expecting guests to jump from a second-story window is not a viable escape plan. This can lead to serious injury or cause guests, especially children, to freeze in fear. A residential fire escape ladder is an essential piece of safety equipment for any multi-story property.

It needs to be stored somewhere obvious and easy to access near a window in an upstairs bedroom. A panicked guest will not have time to search through closets. We store ours inside a large, attractive woven basket right next to the main bedroom window, with a small, clear sign indicating its purpose. It looks nice, but its life-saving function is clear to anyone who looks inside.

Want to go even deeper on protecting your property and guests? Be sure to read our post on Short-Term Rental Insurance: A Complete Guide. It breaks down exactly what coverage you need (and what you don’t), and it’s a must-read for hosts serious about risk management.

Frequently Asked Questions About Airbnb Safety

How often should I review my Airbnb safety checklist?

You should conduct a full review of your safety checklist at least twice a year. It is also wise to perform a check after any major property changes, like renovations or new appliance installations. Regular reviews help you stay ahead of maintenance and potential hazards.

What about pool or hot tub safety?

Pool and hot tub safety is a major topic that requires great attention. At a minimum, you should have a secure, self-latching fence around the pool area as required by most local laws. You should also provide a safety cover, post clear rules, and have rescue equipment like a life ring readily available.

Should I disclose security cameras to my guests?

Yes, you must disclose any security cameras on your property. Airbnb policy requires hosts to inform guests of all surveillance devices, even if they are turned off. Cameras are only permitted in public spaces and common areas, never in private spaces like bedrooms or bathrooms.

Are there legal requirements for these safety items?

Many of these items are governed by local, state, or national laws. For example, smoke and CO detector requirements can vary by jurisdiction. While this list represents best practices for preventing accidents, you must research and comply with the specific laws in your area.

What is the best way to communicate safety features to guests?

Communication is vital for guest safety. Include a dedicated safety section in your welcome book that points out the locations of fire extinguishers, first-aid kits, and the fire escape ladder. Using small, clear labels on or near these items can also be extremely helpful during an emergency.

Takeaways

Creating a safe environment for your guests does not have to be complicated or expensive. Each item on this list represents a small investment that offers a huge return in peace of mind. Proactive safety measures are a cornerstone of any successful hosting business.

By being thorough with your Airbnb safety checklist, you show guests that you are a responsible and professional host. These ten steps demonstrate that you care about their well-being, not just their booking fee. This builds trust and leads to better reviews and a more resilient business.

Do not wait for an accident to reveal a gap in your safety plan. Take action on this Airbnb safety checklist today. Your guests and your business will be better for it.

Ready to turn your hosting into a streamlined, safety-first operation? Grab our free Essentials Checklist to make sure your property setup is both safe and guest-ready. You can also level up your service with our Forgot Something Basket—a small touch that builds major trust and helps avoid late-night guest texts about forgotten toothbrushes. Don’t just host—host smart.

Calling All Hosts: The Hosting Handbook

If you loved this post we invite you to check out our one-stop-shop solution for hosts everywhere —the Hosting Handbook! While you can download all the easy to consume, step-by-step tips we use in our own hosting business and create the ultimate “book” the Hosting Handbook is so much more than that! If you’ve consumed or content for years (or just met us!) this is the reference guide for all the amazing and tactical tips we have for running a profitable and, more importantly hospitable, short-term rental. How do we price for pets? How do we fold our towels? What sheets do we buy? How do I purchase a short-term rental? All these questions (and more!) can be answered in the Hosting Handbook! Check it out now!

Happy Hosting!