When traveling with children, one of the main concerns for parents is finding a place to stay that is both safe and accommodating. This can be a challenge when booking short-term rentals, as many accommodations are not designed with families in mind. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for making a kid-friendly Airbnb.

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Why It’s Important to Have a Kid-Friendly Airbnb

When traveling with young children, it is important to find a safe and comfortable rental for the whole family. Unfortunately, this can be a challenge, as many short-term rentals are not designed for young children.

One of the reasons it is so important to have a kid-friendly Airbnb is that it allows parents to have peace of mind while on vacation. Parents should not have to worry about their children being injured while staying in a rental property.

Additionally, a child-safe short-term rental will be more comfortable for the whole family, as it will be designed with features that accommodate young children. This can include things like travel cribs, high chairs, and toys.

What are Some Common Hazards in Short-Term Rentals?

Hosts should be aware of a few common hazards when creating a family-friendly short-term rental:

Loose cords and wires

One hazard is loose cords and wires. These can be a tripping hazard for young children and can also pose a danger if they are plugged into an outlet.

Sharp edges on furniture

Children can easily hurt themselves on sharp corners and edges, so it is important to make sure that any furniture in the rental is safe for young children.

Cleaning supplies

Many short-term rentals do not have childproof cabinets, which can pose a danger if young children are able to access cleaning supplies.

How to Childproof an Airbnb

Kids can get into anything. Adding a few simple safety features can prevent dangerous situations. 

Install safety gates

Safety gates can be installed at the top and bottom of stairs, as well as in front of any other dangerous areas.

Anchor furniture

Large furniture pieces in family-friendly rentals should be anchored to the wall to prevent it from tipping over.

Install outlet covers

Outlet covers should be installed to prevent children from sticking their fingers or other objects into electrical outlets.

Hide cords and wires

Cords and wires should be hidden away to prevent tripping and choking hazards.

Check smoke alarms

Hosts should always have at least one working smoke alarm on each level of the home. In addition to being a safe choice, guests can filter their search by homes with safety tools like 

smoke alarms.

Consider door knob covers

If there are particular areas of the house you don’t want small children to enter, consider investing in door knob covers. This will help prevent small children from reaching for doors to stairways or closets with hazardous materials. It’s almost essential to disclose these areas in your house rules for parents to pay attention to. 

Put cleaning supplies in childproof cabinets

It is a good idea for hosts to install childproof cabinets in the kitchen to keep cleaning supplies out of reach of young children.

Use locks on medicine cabinets

Hosts should lock medicine cabinets to keep children from accidentally accessing any dangerous substances.

Be cautious of swimming pool safety

If the rental has a swimming pool, be sure to put up a fence and gate around it to prevent young children from accessing the area. A self-latching gate at least four-feet high is recommended. 

Tips for Making Your Short-Term Rental More Family-Friendly

In addition to childproofing your rental, there are a few other things you can do to make it more family-friendly.

Provide toys and books

Hosts can provide toys and books for young children to play with during their stay.

This is a great way to keep them entertained, and it will also prevent them from getting into things they shouldn’t at the vacation home.

Have a pack and play guests can use

A pack and play can be set up in the rental for young children to sleep in. This will provide them with a comfortable and familiar sleeping space.

Set out a high chair

If there is a high chair available, it will be easier for parents to feed their children without having to worry about finding a place to put them.

Adding these extra amenities is a sure way to make families feel comfortable and ensure yourself a five-star review!

Final Thoughts

A kid-friendly Airbnb is a great way to accommodate families with young children. By taking some simple steps to childproof the rental, you can provide a safe and comfortable space for the whole family.

 Additionally, setting out some extra amenities like toys and books can make your short-term rental even more family-friendly. By following these tips, you can be sure to please families with young children and earn superhost status in no time! 

Host Tools provides an automated, unified calendar for short-term rental hosts, allowing you to seamlessly list on all major channels. Start your free trial today!