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Water Safety Tips for Short-term Rentals

Water Safety Tips for Short-term Rental Hosts and Guests

Whether you are a short-term rental host or a guest, these recommendations can help reduce the risk of drowning for young children staying at rental properties with a pool or easy access to an ocean, lake, river or any body of open water.

TOP TIPS FOR SHORT-TERM RENTAL HOSTS:

For properties with a pool or hot tub:

  1. Install an isolation fence around the pool and/or hot tub area that is at least four-feet high. Make sure the fence’s gate is self-closing and self-latching. Ideally, the gate should be four-sided and surround all sides of the pool (i.e. the house should not serve as one side of the fence). But if the house or pool house does serve as one side of the barrier, consider adding alarms to all windows and doors leading to the pool area.
  2. Secure doggie doors and other access points to the pool that a toddler could slip through or climb over.
  3. Install anti-entrapment drain covers and safety release systems to protect against drain entrapment.
  4. Provide rescue equipment, such as shepherd crooks, reaching poles, ring buoys, and first aid kits. Consider adding a landline phone at the pool area.
  5. Give guests a Water Watcher card with instructions on how to use it. A free Water Watcher Card is available at https://www.safekids.org/other-resource/water-watcher-card
  6. Prior to each new guest arrival, verify that the pool/hot tub is well maintained (water clarity, chemical balance, routine maintenance) and that safety equipment is available and in working order.
  7. Clearly indicate in any welcome materials or website copy what pool safety features exist. Be sure to point out any gaps: For example, you might say, "This pool on this property does not include a four-sided isolation fence, so supervision is even more essential".
  8. Provide signage or brochures to alert guests of all safety recommendations (list below), warnings, and 911 emergency information, including the Airbnb address and CPR instructions. Encourage guests (including kids) to do a walkthrough of the pool area to review safety features, including pool fence/gate, drain cover, and alarms.
  9. Remind guests to practice touch supervision with children who can’t swim or don’t swim well. (Touch supervision means that an adult should always be within arm’s length of young children and any child who is not a strong swimmer.) Stipulate that swimming aids and water toys, such as pool noodles, water wings, and inflatable water rings, do not prevent drowning. Remind families to "check the pool first" if a child is missing
  10. Share the Safe Kids Worldwide pool safety checklist, and other resources to educate guests on important swim safety information, including safety tips.
     

For properties adjoining open water (e.g., ocean, lake, or river):

  1. Consider installing a fence that is at least four-feet high and has a self-closing and self-latching gate. This is the best way to isolate property from the open water.
  2. Secure doggie doors and other access points that a toddler could easily slip through. Consider installing alarms on all windows and doors leading to the outdoors.
  3. Provide a Water Watcher card with instructions on use. A free Water Watcher Card is available at https://www.safekids.org/other-resource/water-watcher-card
  4. Clearly indicate in any welcome materials or website copy what safety features exist and what are lacking. For example, say "This property is adjacent to the ocean, and there is no locking gate or door alarms, so added supervision of young children is essential."
  5. Install signs or provide brochures that alerts guests of all safety recommendations (list below), warnings, and 911 emergency information, including the Airbnb address and CPR instructions. Encourage guests (including kids) to do a walkthrough at the onset to identify access points and any safety features (e.g., fence/gate, door alarms, etc.)
  6. Remind guests that swimming in open water is different from swimming in a pool. Point out locations where guests can see signs about water hazards and designated swimming areas. Remind guests to practice touch supervision when near the water with kids who don’t swim or who can’t swim well. Be clear that swimming aids and water toys, (pool noodles, water wings and inflatable water rings, etc.) do not prevent drowning.
  7. If any water recreational equipment is provided, ensure U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets in various sizes are also available.
  8. Remind guests in the event of a missing child to "check the gate and waterfront first".
  9. Share the Safe Kids Worldwide open water safety checklist, and other resources to educate families on important open water safety information, including safety tips.
     

TOP TIPS FOR SHORT-TERM RENTAL GUESTS:

  1. If the rental property has a pool or hot tub, do a walkthrough of the area as soon as you arrive to identify and become familiar with the safety features and equipment.
  2. If your rental has direct or easy access to open water (e.g., ocean, lake or river), note access points and do a walkthrough with the whole family. Spell out rules and expectations for limiting access for young children and weak or non-swimmers.
  3. Actively supervise children when they are in or near water. Keep young children and inexperienced swimmers within arm’s reach of an adult. Make sure more experienced swimmers have a partner with them at all times.
  4. Consider having non-swimmers and inexperienced swimmers wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket when playing in and around the water. Remember that not all properties will provide a life jacket, so make sure to bring one with you.
  5. Assign a Water Watcher when children are in, on or around the water. Choose a responsible adult to be in charge of supervising children in, on or around the water for a certain period, such as 15 minutes. After allotted time, transfer responsibility to another adult to be the Water Watcher. Water Watchers should avoid all distractions while on duty: No phones, no books, or other distractions. Also, a Water Watcher should not be someone consuming alcohol.
  6. Remove all toys from the pool when not in use and store out of sight, so they do not tempt young children. Similarly, if using water toys in open water, make sure to put them away and store them out of sight. Remember that swimming aids and water toys, such as pool noodles, water wings and inflatable water rings, do not prevent drowning. Similarly, if using water toys in open water, ensure they are put away and stored out of sight, Remember, water toys are never a substitute for supervision.
  7. Be prepared for an emergency. Keep your family safer by having an action plan for water emergencies. Learn CPR and basic water rescue skills.
  8. Talk to your kids about pool safety. If there is a pool, review all the safety features and explain why they are important. Discuss all the water activity plans for the vacation (including safety around the pool).
  9. Talk to your kids about open water safety. Teach children that swimming in open water is different from swimming in a pool. Potential hazards (such as limited visibility, depth, uneven surfaces, currents and undertow) can make swimming in open water more challenging than swimming in a pool. Discuss all the water activity plans for the vacation and expectations from a safety perspective.
     

THE FACTS ABOUT WATER SAFETY

  1. Drowning is silent and is NOT like it is shown in the movies with splashing and screaming.
  2. A child can drown in less than a minute. About 70% of fatal drownings happen when a child is not expected to be around the water, such as after everyone has gone into the house for lunch and a child wanders outside.
  3. Drowning does not discriminate, but boys make up for almost 75% of fatal drownings
  4. Fatal drowning is the leading cause of death in the U.S. for children ages 1 to 4 years and a leading cause for children ages 5 to 14.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO SHARE:

FOR MORE WATER SAFETY TIPS AND INFORMATION, VISIT:

Information prepared in consultation with Safe Kids Worldwide’s partners in Water Safety USA. Special thanks to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance.

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