STRASA Teams with Colin's Hope to Promote Pool Safety

Incidents of children drowning in Airbnb pools is rising

Pool Safety Starts Before Check-In

As summer approaches and pools become one of the most requested amenities in short-term rentals, STRASA is partnering with Colin’s Hope, the Austin-based nonprofit focused on drowning prevention and water safety, to help promote safer stays at vacation rentals across San Antonio.

Private pools are a major draw for guests, but they also carry serious responsibility. Unlike hotels or public facilities, short-term rentals often bring together families who are unfamiliar with the property, distracted while traveling, or supervising children in an unfamiliar environment. Safety systems and clear communication matter.

That’s why STRASA believes pool safety should be treated as a core part of responsible hosting, not an afterthought.

The conversation around vacation rental pool safety is also growing nationally. Earlier this year, Airbnb announced a new water safety and drowning prevention campaign focused on Florida and Arizona after investigative reporting by Scripps News highlighted dozens of child drowning incidents connected to vacation rental pools in recent years.

According to the report, Airbnb saw summer bookings at listings with pools increase significantly year over year, underscoring how central pools have become to the guest experience in many markets. In response, the company announced plans to send water safety guidance directly to hosts and partner with Safe Kids Worldwide on host education initiatives focused on drowning prevention.

Safety experts continue to stress that layers of protection matter. Isolation fencing, door alarms leading to pool areas, clearly visible safety signage, and accessible rescue equipment can all help reduce risk, especially for families traveling with young children in unfamiliar environments.

Florida State Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, who supported proposed vacation rental pool safety legislation this year, told Scripps News that hosting platforms and operators alike have “an obligation to make sure their hosts are doing what they can to protect their guests.”

Justin Ford, Director of Safety & Certification Programs at Breezeway and one of the leading voices in short-term rental safety, has consistently emphasized that vacation rentals require a different level of operational thinking than a private home. In his safety training and industry guidance, Ford highlights several critical pool safety practices, including visible pool rules, properly secured pool and spa areas, pool alarms, rescue equipment, locked chemical storage, and clear guest education before and during a stay.

Simple measures can make a meaningful difference:

• Posting clear pool rules and emergency information

• Providing a visible rescue hook or life ring

• Securing gates and hot tubs

• Removing unsafe or non-approved floatation devices

• Communicating supervision expectations to guests

• Making emergency contacts and the property address easy to find

Many guests are traveling with children, grandparents, or large family groups. Hosts cannot assume everyone understands the property layout, pool depth, or risks. Safety information needs to be easy to see, easy to understand, and difficult to ignore.

As part of this initiative, upon request, STRASA members will receive a free pool safety kit that includes a safety checklist, laminated safety materials including the pool watcher program, and safety stickers designed specifically for short-term rentals.

Annual STRASA membership is just $25 per year and helps support education, advocacy, and responsible hosting initiatives throughout San Antonio.

To learn more about STRASA or become a member, visit the STRASA website.

Because a great guest experience should also be a safe one.