Airbnb adds safety feature to waterfront listings and homes with pools

To assist visitors stay safe when renting properties close to lakes, beaches, or pools, Airbnb is introducing new water safety measures.

The firm announced on Thursday that in-app safety advice created in collaboration with Safe Kids Worldwide, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing unintentional injuries to children, will now be visible to visitors reserving waterfront accommodations. Reminders to never swim alone, abstain from drugs and alcohol when near water, and look for safety gear before entering the water are all part of the guidelines.

Following confirmation of a reservation, the guest will also receive prompts with suggested questions to pose to the host, like whether rescue equipment is available, the location of the pool or shoreline areas, and potential risks.

“We want guests to feel confident and prepared, even though water safety incidents during stays in Airbnb listings are extremely rare,” said Tara Bunch, global head of operations for Airbnb, in a statement.

Weeks after Scripps News Investigates reached out to Airbnb and other short-term rental websites to conduct interviews for a continuing investigation into pool safety at holiday rentals, the platform was updated.

For a series of programs that will start airing next week, Scripps News is looking into scores of reported drownings and near-drownings involving children at Florida and Arizona vacation rentals. Scripps News discovered that toddlers drowned in a few instances in houses without pool fences, some with door alarms that were reportedly broken, and yet others that lacked the necessary licenses or permits to operate as short-term rentals from their local governments.

For 2020–2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that over 4,500 persons drowned annually.