As Labor Day nears and summer travel continues, Airbnb has launched a new in-app water safety education feature aimed at helping families stay safe around pools and waterfronts.
The tool, which launched Wednesday, will appear in the message thread for guests who book listings with pools or near bodies of water.
Once a reservation is confirmed, guests will receive automated prompts suggesting safety-related questions to ask their host.
Topics include water access points, presence of safety equipment, and any relevant rules or hazards.
The feature was developed in partnership with Safe Kids Worldwide, a member of Airbnb’s Trust and Safety Advisory Coalition.
“While water safety incidents during stays in Airbnb listings are incredibly rare, we want guests to feel confident and prepared,” said Tara Bunch, Airbnb’s global head of operations. “This new product is designed to help them stay informed and feel better equipped to keep themselves and their loved ones safe around water.”
The addition builds on Airbnb’s ongoing effort to provide water safety education. Hosts are already asked to disclose safety details such as whether a pool or hot tub is gated or locked, or if a body of water is located on or near the property.
Torine Creppy, president of Safe Kids Worldwide, emphasized the urgency of such initiatives. “Drowning can happen quickly and silently, without the dramatic signs of thrashing or calling for help—yet it’s entirely preventable,” she said. “That’s why we’re excited to partner with Airbnb to help families get the information and resources they need.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 and the second leading cause for children 5 to 14. Roughly 4,000 people drown annually in the U.S., with the highest number of incidents occurring from June through August.
Under California state law, new or remodeled residential pools are required to have at least two approved drowning prevention features, including fencing, mesh barriers with gates, pool alarms, safety covers, or exit alarms on doors.
For more about Airbnb’s new water safety initiatives, click here.