health and safety Archives

The Best Emergency Equipment for Your Airbnb

Posted on 14 March 2022 - 12:00 pm

Emergency and health and safety preparation is very crucial when maintaining an Airbnb.

Although, it can be uncommon for any situation to unfold that needs you to use the preparation, it is still great to have and understand why it is needed.

This article will go through a few different essentials that are needed to create the safest Airbnb possible.

The Best Emergency Equipment for Your Airbn — *Health and safety precautions are key to making a tenant feel safe in your Airbnb!*

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are something that every home should have, and an Airbnb is no different.

Using smoke alarms detects any sort of smoke in the air, and can prevent fires by alerting you to it, which can be crucial in stopping any further consequences of a fire.

Whereas a carbon monoxide alarm checks for any sign of CO (Carbon Monoxide) in the air, perhaps from a burst pipe or something like that. This is on par as dangerous as smoke as too much CO doesn’t smother you as smoke does but it poisons you internally. It can also lead to memory problems and dizziness. Further intake could damage you long-term and lead to an early death.

It is recommended to get both installed as well as test them at least once every few weeks to make sure they are working and maintained.

Maintenance Schedule

Keeping your appliances maintained that may run risks if unsupervised will make your home a lot safer. As mentioned above things like ovens, microwaves or boilers which can emit carbon monoxide should be maintained.

Creating a maintenance schedule to check up on the appliances can come in very handy and would only take about a day or two a month just to make sure everything is fine. A healthy home is a healthy you.

Read Now: What You Should Do When You Airbnb is Damaged

Fire Exit

A fire exit is the safest possible route out of an area in case of a fire. This can be your front door, or side door, depending on different circumstances.

Having an official fire exit will allow order and no miscommunication towards you or your tenants. It is very important that people take the safest possible route as it could cost lives if they get confused, panicked or lost.

A fire exit should be included on your emergency guide that tenants will have to look over – more on that further below.

Fire Extinguisher

A compact fire extinguisher in your home can be your only protection against a fire. There are different fire extinguishers for different fires. There are guides online for how to combat fires.

Water
Dry Powder
Foam
Co2
Wet Chemical

You don’t need all these different types but getting the relevant one will add to yours and others safety. Having this protective equipment around brings a level of safety to your home and its guests. It is recommended to place the fire extinguisher somewhere safe, but easily accessible.

woman and fire behind her — *Ignoring fire safety is one of the most dangerous things to do!*

First Aid Kits

One of the main health and safety concerns is the occupiers’ health. Providing a first aid kit with basic medical supplies on hand could hold someone over until an ambulance arrives. It is rare for a first aid kit to have to be used, but it can be a true lifesaver on the odd occasion that it does.

Check this guide out for what should be included in a first aid kit: What Should I Keep in my First Aid Kit?

Contacting Emergency Services

As a last resort, having the numbers to local emergency services is important so your tenants know who to contact in an emergency, especially if they are not from your area.

Inform them on what the emergency service numbers are, and what kind of emergencies they will respond to, you should also give them the necessary street address. This is so the operator they call will know whereabouts the emergency is, and get there faster.

Emergency Guide for Guests

All the information above should be included within an emergency guide for any future tenants, this allows them to be able to know where fire extinguishers, and fire exits are. Despite any accidents, without having a proper action plan, you could be liable for any injuries sustained.

Make sure your guests understand that whilst the guide is crucial, they may not need to know the technicalities of it all. Showing them where the first aid kits, fire extinguishers and fire exits are is important to their and your safety.

Read Now: How Can You Elevate your Airbnb with a Guidebook

person holding a list — *Your emergency guide should be clear to the tenants reading!*

Conclusion

Hopefully, this article has helped you make your Airbnb a safe environment. By having the necessary health and safety you are saving not only your property but people’s lives too. Neglecting your home and safety checks is no laughing matter. You and your tenants’ lives should be your number one concern as you are looking after them.

If you need any help with anything Airbnb related, feel free to look through our other blog posts, or contact us at Keey.

How to Make Your Short-Term Rental Property Safe

Posted on 31 May 2021 - 10:25 am

Renting out a property is a great opportunity to maximise income, but it comes with a wide range of responsibilities. When renting your property to guests, it’s vital to understand your legal obligations to your tenants.

The laws and regulations which apply may differ in your city or country, and there might be separate rules if your property is part of a community building.

With short-term letting, there are additional safety precautions to take into consideration, and making sure you are compliant with these safety checks is crucial for your business. That’s why we’ve compiled a checklist of some of the most important things to consider regarding your property’s safety!

Fire safety rules and checking procedures in a rental property

Safety should be your number one priority, and a full fire-risk assessment should be carried out before any tenants stay in your property. There are different fire safety rules and regulations in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales so be sure to do some research ahead of time to familiarise yourself with what is required.

Make sure you reduce the risk of fire by removing fire hazards.
Make sure you have working smoke alarms fitted throughout the property, and inform guests about the escape plan should a fire occur.
Smoking can be a fire risk if guests are not careful, so be sure to establish a smoking policy.
Adding a fire extinguisher and fire-retardant blanket isn’t a requirement, but can be an important add-on to your property should a fire issue arise.

It’s worth noting than safety-minded guests may also be filtering properties based on whether they have a smoke detector or a fire extinguisher.

If you’re considering letting with Keey, we can help arrange a fire-safety check and provide smoke detectors for you through our vetted partners!

Carbon monoxide & gas safety check

You should consider installing carbon monoxide detectors, especially if the property has a solid fuel heating system, gas appliances or an open log fire or stove. Likewise, making sure to have a recent gas safety check, as well as servicing your boiler once a year, are important safety checks to carry out.

Remove any electrical or accessibility hazards

Take steps to minimise hazards throughout the property, reducing the chance of an accident or a fall. You could welcome a range of guests into your home, and some may have access requirements that makes them less able to stand or walk, or are less likely to be aware of the potential hazards.

Eliminate hazardous electrical wires.
Install handles or railings near stairs and give warnings for any low ceilings and uneven flooring.
It can also be a good idea to add an anti-slip carpet to your shower or bathtub, as well as railings to minimise the risk of a fall.

First-aid kit and emergency numbers

It’s important to provide a well-stocked first aid kit in case tenants have any medical emergencies while staying in your property. You should also include phone numbers of the local emergency services and health centres in the house manual and welcome pack, for your visitors to use if required.

Pet policy

There are pros and cons to managing a pet-friendly rental property. If your property is located in an apartment building, it is recommended that you check the current rules in your building regarding pets before allowing guests to bring animals into the property.

The negative aspects to allowing pets is that they can increase the wear and tear in your property, as well as disturb your neighbours, so consider speaking to them about your plans. A positive aspect of allowing pets is that it can help your tenants feel more at home in your property.

If you decide to have a pet-friendly property then include relevant guidelines, such as keeping dogs on leads, cleaning up after them and where to find pet supplies. You should also be aware that you’ll likely have to pay more for professional cleaning services to maintain your property if pets are permitted to stay.

In conclusion

Whether you are renting out your home for a few nights a year or on a permanent basis, the safety of your guests should be your most important concern. As outlined above, ensure you provide all necessary information to your guests. Inform them what they can and can’t do, what they need to be aware of and how they can best ensure their safety when staying at your property.

If you need help managing your property, our experts are here to help!

Tag: health and safety