Importance Score: 75 / 100 🔴
Planning a spring or summer escape? Short-term rental platforms like Airbnb offer convenient booking options. However, ensuring your safety at an Airbnb is crucial. Whether you are booking a weekend getaway or an extended vacation, it’s important to be vigilant both on the Airbnb application and upon arrival at the property.
Essential Safety Checks for Your Airbnb Stay
Drawing from expert insights and traveler experiences, we’ve compiled a comprehensive checklist to help you prioritize your safety at your Airbnb rental. This guide outlines key questions to ask, potential security devices to be aware of, and red flags to watch out for to ensure a secure and enjoyable stay.
1. Research Your Host Thoroughly in Advance
While checking host ratings on Airbnb is a standard practice, expand your research beyond the basics. Deeper investigation can reveal valuable information and potential Airbnb security concerns as you finalize your booking.
Carefully examine past guest reviews, paying attention to the details. Be cautious if reviews primarily focus on the destination’s attractions rather than the rental itself, as this could indicate unreported issues. Prioritize hosts who have completed Airbnb’s identity verification process and favor “superhosts” with consistently positive feedback.
Property photos can also provide important clues. Assess images for visible access points, ease of entry through windows or doors, and the openness of surrounding landscaping, as these are factors burglars consider. Be wary of listings with limited visual information or those lacking evidence of security features mentioned in the description.
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
Additionally, research the neighborhood online to identify any potential local risks, such as recent increases in residential theft or susceptibility to natural disasters like wildfires or floods.
2. Identify and Note Security Camera Locations
Airbnb strictly prohibits indoor security cameras in listings. The presence of indoor cameras should be considered an immediate violation, warranting a refund request and relocation. Outdoor security cameras are permitted, but renters should be fully informed about their placement.
Many property owners utilize a combination of mounted security cameras and video doorbells to monitor property exteriors, primarily to verify guest arrivals. Locate these cameras upon arrival and ensure they are positioned to monitor entrances and not angled to view inside the rental’s private spaces through windows. A minimally invasive video doorbell is generally the most acceptable arrangement.
Communicate with Hosts About Security
Crucially: Always proactively communicate with hosts regarding any security cameras or systems in use at the property. Request a detailed explanation of camera locations and their operational purpose. This dialogue serves as a valuable, personalized security briefing.
3. Evaluate Electronics and Limit Usage
Many vacation rentals are equipped with various electronics, including computers, tablets, televisions, sound systems, Wi-Fi routers, and smart thermostats. Upon arrival, take inventory of these devices, particularly if they were highlighted in the listing.
Decide upfront whether you will utilize these provided electronics and to what extent. Keep in mind that hosts may have the ability to monitor device activity and, in some cases, access webcams. For security reasons, many guests prefer to rely on their personal devices instead of using rental-provided computers.
While using the TV is generally considered safe, avoid connecting rental set-top boxes or streaming devices to your personal displays. Be especially cautious with provided chargers; it is advisable to use your own chargers plugged directly into wall outlets to minimize risks of malware or other security issues.
4. Secure Unique Lock Codes Before Arrival
Smart locks are frequently used in short-term rentals, offering advantages for both guests and hosts. However, proper usage depends on having the correct passcodes or digital keys.
Request your digital access codes from the host prior to your arrival. Clarify the specifics of how these codes function – their activation period, time-of-day restrictions, and confirmation that codes have been changed since the previous guests. Your safety and unrestricted access to the rental are paramount.
Hosts who are evasive about smart lock details, fail to provide functional codes or digital passes, or seek to limit your access to specific times should raise immediate concerns and warrant seeking alternative accommodations.
5. Conduct a Hidden Camera Scan Upon Entry
Although often considered an urban legend, hidden cameras in Airbnbs are a documented issue globally. Once inside your rental, perform a quick scan for hidden cameras before fully settling in.
Utilize your phone’s flashlight to inspect rooms in darkness. This technique can reveal reflective camera lenses and other indicators of hidden devices. Specialized apps and gadgets designed for hidden camera detection are also available for added reassurance if you have heightened concerns.
During this initial inspection, also check for any immediate safety or amenity deficiencies inside the rental. Guests have reported issues ranging from missing essential items like shower curtains and malfunctioning doors to non-operational toilets or lack of hot water.
6. Verify Smoke Detectors, Fire Extinguishers, and Locks
Beyond electronics and hidden cameras, a final safety check is necessary. Confirm the presence of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in every room and locate an easily accessible fire extinguisher. Additionally, ensure that windows and any secondary doors are equipped with functioning locks.
This is also an opportune moment to locate any home safes provided by the host for storing valuables. Deciding whether to store items like electronics or cash in a safe requires careful consideration and trust in the host, even with changing access codes providing a degree of security.
7. Assess Wi-Fi Security Protections
Wi-Fi is a common and often expected amenity in Airbnb rentals, but it presents potential security risks. Ideally, the provided Wi-Fi should be on a separate guest network, utilize WPA2 or WPA3 encryption, and have a strong password. Best practice involves the host changing the Wi-Fi password after each guest’s departure. Even with these measures, the host retains a degree of network control.
If you cannot verify sufficient security protocols for the provided Wi-Fi network, refrain from using it. Consider using personal mobile hotspots or a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to mitigate the risks associated with using an unknown Wi-Fi network.
8. Secure Local Maps for Navigation
Some hosts provide helpful resources like local maps or guidebooks. If such materials aren’t available, download maps of the area (street maps, trails, landmarks) to your phone or device. Offline maps that do not require Wi-Fi access are crucial for reliable navigation and exploration of the surrounding area.
With these safety measures addressed, you can relax, explore, and enjoy your Airbnb stay. For continued safety guidance, explore resources on preventing package theft, home break-ins, and comprehensive home security practices.