The lack of short-term rental safety!!

[Sarah Kensinger]

The lack or inattentiveness of safety in short-term rentals is appalling!! Over the weekend 3 people died at a STR in Outer Banks due to a house fire, and it seems like every couple of months we hear of more people dying at a STR. We need more awareness and possibly training for those that operate STR! Justin Ford of Breezeway is bringing awareness and offers a safety course that hosts become certified in all things STR safety; yet so many people have never heard of him! He pointed out the photo below that he came across on the Airbnb platform preparing for a STR safety presentation. Seriously what are the hosts thinking!! This property is a small treehouse that the hosts are cramming 9 guests into!

We need to start talking about STR safety more, and please, politely make your friends/colleagues that are STR hosts aware of dangers that need to be addressed. Guests are guests but we don't need to hand them a stupid opportunity that turns deadly. This is partly why STR are gathering more restrictions is places. If we would educate ourselves better at the safety items other public lodging facilities have to follow, it would help keep guests safer and give assurance to the local community.

Located at one of the top 20 STR in the mid-west, congrats to another brilliant Missourian!.......