433. How Safe is Your Short-Term Rental? Expert Safety Tips with Justin Ford

Safety isn’t just a checkbox—it’s essential for every short-term rental. In this episode, international safety expert Justin Ford returns to discuss the biggest safety risks hosts often overlook and how to protect your guests and business.

From smoke alarms and fire extinguishers to hot tub safety and bunk beds, this episode is packed with actionable insights for hosts at every level. Justin has spent over a decade advocating for vacation rental safety, and today, he’s sharing the most critical lessons from real-life incidents, upcoming regulatory changes, and how to stay ahead of safety requirements.

We’re also joined by Wendy Doris, a successful co-host, who shares how implementing Justin’s safety strategies has improved her business and given her peace of mind.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• The most overlooked safety risks in short-term rentals
• Why fire safety should be your top priority (and common mistakes hosts make)
• How to keep guests safe in hot tubs and pools
• The real cost of ignoring safety (beyond legal liability)
• Why the Breezeway safety course should be mandatory for your team
• The future of short-term rental safety regulations and how to stay compliant

Listen now to ensure your rental meets the highest safety standards.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Breezeway Safety Course (free training for hosts) – Sign up here
• Breezeway STR Software (your first property is free) – Claim it here
• Smoke Alarm with Strobe (for hearing-impaired guests) – First Alert Store
• Heat Detector (for garages & attics) – First Alert Store
• Best Fire Extinguisher for STRs – First Alert PRO5

Add This to Your Listing

Hosts should include a Safety section in their Airbnb or direct booking listing:

Safety: We do full safety audits of this property annually, and smoke alarms, CO alarms, pool alarms, and the quality of hot tubs and pools are checked before each guest arrives. Our annual safety audits include fire safety, fall prevention, emergency preparedness, electrical and appliance safety, furniture and amenity safety, and pool and hot tub safety.

More from Justin Ford

Other Episodes Featuring Justin:

• What Every Host Needs to Know About STR Safety
• 8 Danger Zones in a Short Term Rental and How to Avoid Them
• Dryer Safety in Your Short Term Rental
• Cleaning is Now Safety
• How to Make Your Short-Term Rental Safe: Top 5 Preventable STR Accidents from 2020
• 7 Tips to Ensure Pool & Spa Safety
• Back to Basics: Fire Alarm 101
• Fire Safety Comes First in Your STR
• Holiday Safety Tips for Your STR
• The Ultimate Airbnb Spring Safety Guide
• Holiday Safety Tips for Your STR
• STR Safety in 2024: Regulations, Technology & Trends

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HUGE Aircover Mistake Most Airbnb Hosts Make – Watch Now

Take Action: If you do one thing today, check your smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and emergency exits. Implementing even a few of Justin’s tips can make your rental significantly safer for guests.

If you found this episode helpful, subscribe and leave a review to help more hosts improve safety in their rentals.

Happy Hosting!

Mentioned in this episode:

Fido | Visit getfido.com/tfv & get your first month free!

Extenteam | Receive 20% off the first 2 months with Tailwind!

Hostfully | Go to https://www.hostfully.com/tfv and use TFV100 to get $500 off your subscription.

Proper Insurance | Book Your Risk Assessment Today

Quiz | Take our quiz to reveal your hosting personality style!