What safety equipment does a short-term rental need?
Short answer
A short-term rental should have working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms placed as your local code requires, a fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen, a stocked first-aid kit and posted exit routes and emergency information. Rules differ by state and city, so check your local code, then list the devices accurately on each platform.
The basics
Start with five items: smoke alarms, carbon monoxide (CO) alarms, a fire extinguisher, a first-aid kit and clear exit and emergency information. How many alarms you need, and where, depends on your local code. Rules differ by state, county and city, so check with your local building or fire department before you buy.
The core checklist
| Item | Where | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Smoke alarms | As your local code requires | Test before each guest season and on a regular schedule |
| CO alarms | As your local code requires, near sleeping areas and fuel-burning appliances | Test with the smoke alarms |
| Fire extinguisher | In or near the kitchen, easy to see | Check the gauge and expiration date |
| First-aid kit | A labeled, easy-to-find spot | Restock after use |
| Exit and emergency info | Posted near the main door or in the house manual | Update if anything changes |
Smoke and CO alarms
Airbnb strongly urges hosts (opens in a new tab) to install smoke and CO alarms in spaces that use fuel-burning appliances, and to check local regulations. Its guide on safety essentials (opens in a new tab) also names fireplaces, attached garages, generators and grills as reasons to install CO alarms.
Hosts are asked to update the safety devices section of their listing to show whether smoke and CO alarms are present. A home with only electric appliances and no attached garage can be marked as not needing a CO alarm.
A platform's guidance is not the law. Your local code sets the legal minimum, and it may require more alarms than any platform suggests.
Fire extinguisher
- Place it where guests can see it, not hidden under the sink.
- Choose a type suited to kitchen fires and follow the label for maintenance.
- Note its location in your house manual.
First-aid kit
- Bandages in several sizes, gauze, tape, antiseptic wipes
- Tweezers, scissors, disposable gloves
- An instant cold pack
- A card with the local emergency number and the home's address
Exit and emergency information
- A simple floor plan showing exits, posted near the main door
- The full street address, so a guest can give it to emergency services
- Where to find the fire extinguisher, first-aid kit, water shutoff and breaker panel
- How to reach you, and a backup contact
A worked example
Hypothetical rental: a 2-bedroom house with a gas stove and an attached garage.
- Check the local code for alarm count and placement.
- Because of the gas stove and garage, plan CO alarms in addition to smoke alarms.
- Put a fire extinguisher by the kitchen exit.
- Post a floor plan by the front door with both exits marked.
- Update the listing's safety devices on each platform you use.
Keep it working
- Test alarms on a schedule and log the date.
- Ask your cleaner to confirm the extinguisher and first-aid kit are in place at each turnover.
- Replace batteries and expired items before guests notice.
The rental planner adds safety items to your shopping list, and the first guests guide covers the rest of your setup.
Do it for your rental
Answer four questions about your beds, guests and laundry. Get a priced shopping list for every room.
Add safety items to my planFrequently asked questions
Are smoke and carbon monoxide alarms required in a short-term rental?
Requirements depend on your local code, which varies by state and city. Check with your local building or fire department, and install at least what it requires.
Does Airbnb require hosts to list safety devices?
Airbnb asks hosts to update the safety devices section of their listing to show whether smoke and CO alarms are present. Keep this accurate on every platform you use.
Where should a fire extinguisher go in a rental?
Put it in or near the kitchen, in plain view, where a guest can reach it quickly. Note its location in your house manual.
What should a rental first-aid kit include?
Include bandages, gauze, tape, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, scissors, gloves and a cold pack. Add a card with the emergency number and the home's address.
On this page
Do it for your rental
Answer four questions about your beds, guests and laundry. Get a priced shopping list for every room.
Add safety items to my plan