Are you planning a vacation with your family? Having troubles looking for child-friendly accommodation? For most family travelers, their top choice is to rent an Airbnb.
If you plan to travel with your kids, it is an outright decision to look for a place that offers guaranteed safety for your kids. You have to be meticulous when it comes to choosing the best Airbnb for your family.
Most hotels, Airbnb, and other accommodations overlook kids’ safety. That is why you have to be specific when choosing the right one for your family. To help you get the best Airbnb, here are five checklists to consider when renting a child-friendly Airbnb.
Research for a Child-Friendly Airbnb
Before renting a specific Airbnb, make sure that you do proper research first. Check websites on the internet. You can also read recommendations from travel bloggers or past clients.
Research as many Airbnb as you can so you will have a variety of choices. Also, keep an eye on the best amenities that are mentioned in reviews like the DMCI townhouse. Try to research and gather information about the neighborhood. If you are staying for a long vacation trip, you can check the best real estate websites in Philippines.
Make sure that the neighborhood of your potential Airbnb is safe for you and your family. Locate nearby police stations, markets, or hospitals so you can access them.
When reading reviews, consider some tips from previous clients. Check if they mention whether they are satisfied with their stay or not. Also, consider checking about the traffic or the transportation in the area.
While looking for a host, note if they have the “super host badge.” Their badge indicates that they are experts in that field. Therefore, they will be able to answer your questions and give you what you need.
Choosing and Booking the Best Airbnb
When choosing the best Airbnb for your family, you can narrow down your choices by using filters. Try to look for filters that say “baby-friendly” or “child-friendly.”
Also, include a specific location or area on your search. By doing this, you will find an Airbnb that is confined to that particular area where you want to stay. You can be specific when it comes to putting filters.
When looking at pictures of Airbnb, look closely into details. Like if you are aiming for a two-story Airbnb, check if the stairs have railings. Check the available appliances as well.
Some Airbnb in the market offers room sharing. If you are traveling with your family and your kids, it isn’t a good idea to share the house with other travelers. So before booking for an Airbnb, make sure that you will be getting the whole house exclusive for your family.
Before booking for an Airbnb, make sure that you read the cancellation policy. See that you are aware of the hidden costs, cleaning costs, or other extra costs.
Ask Questions to the Airbnb Host
If you have questions, do not hesitate to ask your Airbnb host. You can ask them for restaurant recommendations or other itineraries. Ask them about some hazards that might put your kids in danger.
Ask them if you can make changes to the house that you will be staying in. Get their permission first if ever you want to do some fixing like moving some furniture or putting cushions on sharp edges.
And if you have booked with them, inform them of the exact day and time, you will be arriving so that they can welcome you.
Check the Airbnb Once You Arrive
When you arrive at the Airbnb, check if the wifi and telephone line is working. So that if you encounter problems, it will be easier for you to contact your host. Ensure that essential appliances such as the refrigerator, AC, washing machine, and stove are working perfectly.
Make sure that the doors and locks are working. And if you find things that are not functioning well, tell your host about it. So that they can fix them, and you will be saved from being charged on stuff you did not break.
Aside from that, you can ask your host about the electrical panel. If possible, ask for a picture of it. So that when there are electrical problems, it will be easy for you to fix them.
Do not forget to check their rules when it comes to disposing of garbage. In some places, there are designated days and times for garbage collection. There are rules when it comes to segregating waste, so make sure that you know about them.
Baby-Proof Your Rented Airbnb
Your kids’ safety is your top priority, whether in your own house or other places. So when you arrive at Airbnb, make it kid-friendly as long as you get the host’s approval.
Kitchen: Keep the sharps away
To make the kitchen baby-proof, make sure that sharp and large objects are far from your children’s reach. Remove tablecloths and replace them with placemats. When kids get curious, they sometimes pull tablecloths, and that can put your kids in danger.
If the Airbnb you rented uses a gas stove, make sure that it is turned off when not in use. Keep cleaning agents like dishwashing liquids in drawers. And make sure that you always lock the drawers.
Rooms: Cozy everywhere
Make sure that you insulate all electrical outlets. Always unplug electronics and devices, especially cell phone chargers. You can also remove rugs that can put your kids at risk of falling.
With pieces of furniture, make sure that they are not shaky or do not have glass windows. But if they do, move the furniture to secure places. Or, if possible, put them in rooms that are inaccessible by your kids.
If pieces of furniture have sharp edges, put edge guards on them. Keep small or heavy objects and decorations away from your kids to prevent accidents. Make sure that long curtains are appropriately placed or put in a knot so that your kids cannot reach them and pull them.
Keep rooms and doors locked, especially the storage rooms and the laundry room.
Staircases: No toppling down
Some Airbnb owners neglect staircases. So if you are renting an Airbnb with staircases, make sure that they have small gates. But if they don’t, ask your host if they can install them. There are also portable ones that you can bring and install yourself.
Renting an Airbnb for a family vacation has a lot of benefits. It gives you more space compared to hotels. Aside from that, it will provide you with the feel of living the life of a local.
However, if you want to ensure your family’s safety, especially your kids, make sure you are ready. Follow the checklists, and you’ll enjoy your vacation with your kids.