Nothing matters more than guest safety.

By Shelley Galbraith, Chair – Short Term Rental Association of San Antonio (STRASA)

As short-term rental (STR) hosts, we provide more than beds and linens. We provide trust. Families, friends, and business travelers stay in our homes believing they’ll be safe. That trust is sacred—and breaking it can be devastating.

When Safety Fails, Tragedy Strikes

In the past year, two heartbreaking stories shook the STR industry:

• In Sag Harbor, New York, sisters Jillian and Lindsay Wiener died in a rental without working smoke detectors.

• In the Hudson Valley, Shannon Hubbard and her one-year-old daughter lost their lives in a fire where alarms failed to sound.

  
  

In both cases, local safety laws were ignored. In both cases, lives were lost. And in both cases, hosts are now facing criminal charges, including manslaughter.

This isn’t just about fines or bad reviews. Hosts are going to prison.

Imagine your smoke alarms aren’t working. A guest dies. Suddenly, you’re not just a host—you’re a defendant in a criminal trial. Your name in headlines. Your business gone. Your conscience forever burdened.

These tragedies should never have happened. They are preventable. And they are a wake-up call to every host.

Evolving Industry Standards

The reality? Less than 2% of STR properties undergo formal safety inspections. “We’re still the wild west here,” says Justin Ford, a leading global safety expert with Breezeway.

That's beginning to change. Platforms like Breezeway now offer digital inspection tools and checklists. Ford has worked with organizations worldwide, from Australia to South Africa to the NFPA in the U.S., to develop practical safety frameworks for the industry’s 10 million properties.

The message is clear: safety standards are coming. The only question is whether we as hosts get ahead of them—or wait until regulators, lawyers, and tragedies force our hand.

Airbnb’s 2025 Expansion: Opportunity and Risk

This year, Airbnb introduced bookable services like massages and private chefs. While appealing to guests, it raises new concerns. As Ford puts it:

“You could get a massage in your Airbnb while there’s a smoke alarm dangling with no battery above you.”

Airbnb screens providers with background checks and insurance requirements, but liability questions remain. In today’s litigious climate, hosts must carefully weigh the risks before opting in. Safety basics—not luxury services—remain the true foundation of professional hosting.

What Guests Really Worry About

A 2021 survey found that 62% of hotel-preferring travelers avoid vacation rentals due to safety concerns. Platforms can add services and experiences, but until hosts prove their properties are safe, many travelers won’t trust us.

And the biggest risks? They’re not always what you think. Fire is serious, but slips, trips, and falls are the leading cause of guest injuries and insurance claims. Other overlooked hazards include:

• Poor lighting in walkways and driveways

• Uneven steps or loose pavers

• Furniture tip-overs (a falling TV can exert 27,000 pounds of force)

• Poisoning risks (the #1 call from Airbnbs to poison control wasn’t for Wi-Fi—it was for cleaning supplies and medications left accessible)

• Lithium battery fires from e-bikes and scooters

• Liability from commercial products (fire pits, stoves) not rated for STR use

  
  

Safety is not just smoke detectors—it’s every detail of the guest experience.

Practical Safety Steps for Hosts

Here’s how to take action now:

1. Smoke & CO Detectors

• Install alarms in every bedroom, hallway, and level.

• Test before every stay. Train cleaners or managers to check them.

2. Fire Safety Beyond Alarms

• Place extinguishers in kitchens and near exits.

• Post evacuation maps in visible locations.

• Inspect wiring, especially in older homes.

3. General Guest Safety

• Secure heavy furniture and TVs.

• Improve pathway and stair lighting.

• Eliminate tripping hazards inside and out.

4. Compliance & Inspections

• Obtain required permits and pass fire inspections.

• Conduct your own “guest test”—have a friend arrive at night with luggage and find every hazard you’ve overlooked.

5. Insurance & Liability

• Don’t assume your policy covers negligence—it often doesn’t.

• Document safety checks and upgrades.

• Seek insurers who reward certified safety practices with discounts.

  
  

Why Safety Pays

Safety isn’t just compliance—it’s a competitive advantage. Hosts who highlight safety features in their listings often see higher booking rates. One Vermont host consistently ranks at the top of search results simply by marketing her Airbnb as “safe.” Guests notice.

And safety investments add long-term value. As regulations tighten, homes with upgraded alarms, egress windows, reinforced decks, and professional inspections will command higher resale prices and fewer headaches.

The Takeaway

Short-term rental safety in 2025 is at a crossroads. We can either treat safety as an afterthought—or as the professional standard it must be.

We’ve seen the cost of failure: lost lives, destroyed reputations, and hosts in prison. We’ve also seen the benefits of responsibility: higher bookings, greater trust, and stronger property values.

As STR hosts, our duty is clear. Protect your guests. Protect your business. Protect yourself.

Because nothing matters more than sending your guests home safe.