There are several things that you should do for fire safety for your Airbnb. Start with getting a fire risk assessment done and then follow the guidance!
What should I do?
Fire safety is an important aspect of hosting guests in your Airbnb. You should follow some basic guidelines to prevent common fire hazards and protect your space and your guests.
Here are some top tips:
- Install and regularly test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in your space. You should have interlinked alarms in all areas where a fire might start, such as the hall, staircase, corridors, lounge, dining room and bedrooms. Heat alarms should also be installed in kitchens and other risk rooms. You can get a free combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm from Airbnb if you have an active listing.
- Keep flammable items and substances away from sources of heat and ignition. Think about how you set out your property so that people renting it act safely. Do not locate kitchen appliances under wall mounted units for example and don’t provide or permit candles.
- Put up some helpful safety signs and notices.
- Provide a fire extinguisher and a fire blanket in the kitchen.
- Don’t allow smoking inside. Put up some no smoking signs. If smoking is allowed outside your property, remind guests to fully and safely extinguish all smoking materials. Provide a safe cigarette disposal device and ensure it is emptied regularly.
- Have a detailed escape plan for you, your family and guests in the event of a fire or an emergency. Provide clear instructions on how to exit the property safely and where to meet outside. You can also create an emergency safety card with important information such as emergency contacts, fire extinguisher locations, gas shut-off valves, etc.
- Ensure your gas appliances are serviced once a year by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
- If you have a wood or coal burning stove, make sure the chimneys are swept twice a year. Remember, a lot of people don’t have a log burner at home and they may well not know what they are doing with yours. Why not provide a how to guide? Also, make sure you provide a safety glove and the appropriate equipment users need. Advise people to ensure the log burner has gone out prior to going to bed.
- Comply with fire safety law for small paying guest accommodation. You should conduct a fire risk assessment to identify and reduce the potential fire hazards in your space. You can find more guidance on how to do this on the government website or why not arrange for a specialist to do it for you? Fire safety is complex and skilled, so if you choose to carry out your own fire risk assessment please ensure you know what to do.
- Provide suitable fire doors to protect the fire escape route.
JCH Safety are specialist fire risk assessors and health and safety consultants. We are third party accredited fire risk assessors which are advised to be used by the UK Government. We work across the Midlands for a variety of clients in all sectors from hospitality to manufacturing. If you need a fire risk assessment for your Airbnb, offices, pub, hotel or business, why not get in touch with us? We are located in Nuneaton, Warwickshire and work across Coventry, Birmingham, Leicester and the wider West Midlands.
I hope this helps you to make your Airbnb safe from fire. Please let us know if you have any other questions or requests and we will be happy to help.
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