Spending your vacation at a rental property — rather than a hotel — has grown increasingly popular. It’s important to keep in mind that if you do stay at a rental property, they are not subject to the same safety regulations as a hotel and may not have safety equipment on site.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when reserving a rental property.
Be sure to ask questions in advance and once you arrive, check to see where the safety equipment is located.
- Determine whether the rental has smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. These should be placed on every level of the rental property and outside of sleeping areas.
- Check to see where the fire extinguisher is.
- Take a look around and then put together a fire escape plan that you share with your family.
- Be certain all window cords (from blinds, curtains, etc.) are out of reach of young children.
- Chances are furniture will not be secured to the walls, so be certain children do not climb on the furniture to avoid the risk of tip overs.
- Be certain to monitor your children around water — be it a pool, hot tub, lake, river or ocean.
If you utilize an Airbnb service, listings do include the specific safety amenities at each property, so check the listings carefully. Airbnb also supplies free combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms upon request.
