How-to

Stay safe in or around water

By knowing and following water safety guidance, you can help to create a safer environment around water and help prevent drownings. This is why Airbnb has partnered with experts like Safe Kids Worldwide to help equip you with important water safety tips.

General water safety tips

Never swim alone, especially in unfamiliar waters. Always have a buddy system.
Designate a Water Watcher. Take turns actively supervising anyone in or near the water, especially children or weak swimmers. Pay close, constant attention—avoid distractions like phones or books.
Know your swimming and physical fitness limits. Don’t overestimate your abilities, especially in unfamiliar or challenging conditions.
Wear life jackets. All children, inexperienced swimmers, and boaters should wear properly fitted and certified life jackets.
Review this pool safety checklist. Safe Kids Worldwide’s Pool Safety Checklist provides important tips and considerations to discuss with hosts for water safety.

Before swimming

Do a walkthrough of the area. Take a moment to get familiar with key safety considerations, like water depth and layout, fences or gates, access points, safety signs, and any nearby rescue equipment or personnel.
Research local water conditions, hazards, and rules. Check local resources and weather before any activities in or around bodies of water, like swimming or boating.
Follow guidance from local instructors and officials. Always heed advice about hazards and designated safe swimming or boating areas.
Check beach flag warnings. Understand and respect beach flags indicating water conditions.
Know emergency procedures and contacts. Be ready to call for help if needed. Know who to call in an emergency, and consider learning basic water rescue steps.

When entering the water

Enter unfamiliar or shallow water feet first. Wade out slowly to avoid unseen hazards, including steep drops.
Stay out of the water during thunderstorms. If you hear thunder or see lightning, leave the water immediately.
Swim sober. Avoid using alcohol or drugs in or around water, like when boating, swimming, and when supervising others.

Water safety considerations to ask your host about

We encourage you to ask your host about water safety considerations and features at your Airbnb, such as:

Safety feature	Considerations
Pool design	What is the depth of the pool? Do you enter the pool via steps or a ladder? Are any deep and shallow ends clearly signposted? Is there a gradual slope in depth or a steep drop?
Isolation pool fence	Is there a pool fence surrounding all sides of the pool that is at least 4 feet high with a self-closing and self-latching gate?
Secured access points	Are all doors or windows leading to the pool or water area locked, including any animal doors or other access points? Do all access points have alarms to alert when they are opened?
Drain covers and safety release systems	Does the pool have drain covers and safety release systems to support safe water circulation and help avoid swimmers getting physically entrapped?
Rescue equipment or personnel	Do you provide equipment such as life jackets (adult and child), a shepherd’s crook, reaching pole, ring buoy, and first aid kit? Are there lifeguards on duty?

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