Preventing fires during Airbnb Experiences

We all want to keep each other safe. That's why we joined forces with the American Red Cross and the International Federation of the Red Cross Red Crescent to bring our community general safety resources. These resources, which apply to 191 countries, were developed by the Red Cross Red Crescent’s Global Disaster Preparedness Center, an international reference center created to build a global community for disaster preparedness innovation and learning. In an emergency situation, contact local police or emergency services immediately.

Be prepared

Read on for tips on first aid and increasing safety awareness. We also recommend that Hosts and guests learn first aid and CPR.

When it comes to fire safety, prevention is key. To protect yourself from emergencies caused by wildfires or home fires, you can make indoor or outdoor Experiences safer by reducing risks and removing fire hazards.

Think safety before your Experience begins

Consider downloading one or both of these handy apps:

• First aid app for your country
• Hazard app for your country

Be prepared for indoor and outdoor Experiences

Will you be cooking, painting, or crafting indoors? Or are you heading outside to hike, camp, build a bonfire, or celebrate with fireworks? Either way, take precautions:

Indoor Experiences

• Locate the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
• If you’re using flammable products, find the nearest fire extinguisher.
• Follow your Host’s fire safety actions, especially their escape plan in case of an emergency. Studies show that people have only two minutes to escape a fire.

Outdoor Experiences

• Understand any restrictions for flammable and non-flammable products in outdoor locations like natural parks or public areas. In many places, matches or charcoal stoves are prohibited. Use flashlights, electric stoves, or gas lamps instead.
• Ask for designated places to smoke, fully extinguish cigarettes, and dispose of butts safely.

Avoiding fire hazards

These simple actions will help you, your fellow guests, and your Host safely enjoy your activity:

• Keep flammable items at least three feet away from anything that gets hot, like space heaters, candles, lighters, or paint solvent.
• Never use a generator, grill, camp stove, or other gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning device inside a home, garage, basement, crawl space, or any partially enclosed area.
• Use designated areas to smoke or light a bonfire.
• Don’t leave candles unattended.
• Make sure children know not to play with lighters and matches, and keep them out of their reach.
• Don’t light fireworks in forbidden areas or indoors.
• After a bonfire, use water, sand, or rocks to extinguish it. Ensure the embers are completely out before departing.

Kitchen safety

Fires happen most frequently in kitchens. Follow these preventive steps:

• Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove burners.
• Keep anything that can catch fire—like pot holders, towels, plastic, and clothing—away from the stove burners.
• Keep pets off cooking surfaces and countertops.
• Consider keeping a lid or cover near the stove to extinguish small grease fires. Always leave the fire covered until the cooking vessel is no longer hot.

What to do if there’s a fire

Fires can spread quickly.

• STOP, DROP, and ROLL if your clothes catch fire.
• If the place (indoor or outdoor) is on fire, leave immediately. Call the fire department and any other local emergency number.
• If you’re inside, don’t open a door if it feels warm to the back of your hand. This could indicate a fire on the other side. Use another exit instead.
• If you can’t exit, open a window and wave something white—such as a pillowcase or piece of clothing—to signal for help.
• Stay low to the ground and crawl to avoid inhaling smoke.
• For minor burns, cool the burn under clean, cool, running water for at least 10 minutes, then cover with plastic wrap or a clean plastic bag.
• Use the fire escape plans outlined in Airbnb’s Personal, Indoor, or Outdoor Safety Cards.
• Don’t return to the area until after the fire department lets you, because it might still be risky.

Find more info in the Red Cross Red Crescent First Aid app.

Trip support

All Airbnb Experiences include 24/7 community support. Additionally, in the event of a life-threatening injury, Airbnb has partnered with an emergency medevac provider to evacuate an injured person if medically necessary.

Additional guidance

Emergency planning

All Airbnb Hosts and guests should agree on an emergency plan for natural disasters or any other kind of emergency. Find out more about making an emergency plan.

Partner disclaimers

American Red Cross and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC): Courtesy of the American Red Cross and International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. ©2019 The American National Red Cross. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The American Red Cross and International Federation of the Red Cross Red Crescent name and emblem are used with its permission, which in no way constitutes an endorsement, express or implied, of any product, service, company, opinion or political position. The American Red Cross logo is a registered trademark owned by The American National Red Cross. For more information about the American Red Cross, visit redcross.org.