Airbnb Issues Holiday Safety Tips For Hosts, Travelers

SAN JOSE, CA — The 4th of July holiday brings out more than barbecue party revelers to the homes of family and friends. It is also expected to generate more than 300,000 Airbnb guests to the welcome mats of property hosts' houses, condos, bungalows, cabins, yurts and recreational vehicles across California between July 4 through 7.

With that, the online global lodging company based in San Francisco and expanding into San Jose offices has released its own set of safety tips for homeowners and travelers of all types.

Hosting on Airbnb is a big responsibility and so is staying in someone’s home as a guest, particularly with a big group, the company announced. The suggestions don't just end with the stay. More than 40,000 Airbnb experiences offered come with their own set of diligence, especially since many involve fire and water — from kayaking and paddle boarding to backyard grilling and beach bonfires.

Take note Airbnb travelers:

• Add other members of your party to your itinerary. You’ll only be able to add guests up to the total number allowable with the booking request, but it's important to communicate this in advance with the host to make the guests accountable for safety and security reasons.
• Include an emergency contact. Though negative incidents are incredibly rare, adding an emergency contact to your account is easy to do and helps the community support team contact the designated party if something were to happen.

• Communicate plans in advance with the host. The Fourth of July is a great time to grill out, enjoy fireworks and celebrate with friends and family. If the Airbnb listing has a grill, take a moment to communicate with the host on how to use it, clean it and stay safe while using it. With using fireworks, more places than not deem them illegal.

• Be respectful of the neighbors. The holiday is a time to celebrate and have fun, but it’s crucial to pay attention to the decibel level of the frolicking. Be sure to check out the listing’s House Rules for requirements such as the quiet hours, in particular. No one wants a bad review.

• Check out water safety tips. Whether the plan is to swim in the pool, ocean or lake, take time to read up on local water safety tips, as every body of water is different. An accidental drowning can happen in a matter of seconds, so adults should always be fully focused when supervising children who are in or near any body of water. The American Red Cross has issued its own water safety tips.

Take note Airbnb hosts:

• Keep safety information and equipment handy. It’s important that hosts equip their homes and guests with the safety essentials the visitors might need in the event of an emergency. Equipment ranges from smoke and carbon monoxide detector and a fire extinguisher to a first aid kit emergency phone numbers posted somewhere prominent like on the refrigerator.
• Get to know the guests in advance. Airbnb's secure messaging tool provides hosts the chance to chat with the guests to answer or ask any questions that come up before or during the trip. Some guests will be experiencing California for the first time, so hosts should strive to find out specifically what’s bringing them to California and use that information to provide the most personable and safe experience possible.

• Set clear expectations. Listing descriptions should let potential guests know about the unique features and amenities of the home. Even small details like the number of flights of stairs to the front door or how to properly turn on the hot tub can help make sure guests enjoy their time. Hosts can also outline specific expectations in their house rules.
• Always communicate through the platform on Airbnb matters. Bad actors may try to take advantage of the surge in activity during popular travel times by luring hosts into offline scams where the company is unable to monitor and protect hosts.

If any challenge arises, the Airbnb team is available 24/7 in 11 languages to support hosts and guests in California. We offer things like rebooking assistance, refunds, reimbursements and the $1 million Host Guarantee, and Host Protection Insurance program to rectify matters gone awry.