Airbnb's tips for safe travel

SANDUSKY — This weekend marks one of the largest anticipated surges for tourism in Ohio.In order to help prepare those traveling or hosting guests, Airbnb released several tips for those wishing to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday with them. They emphasize safety as a No. 1 priority for those utilizing their network of hosts and guests, according to a news release. For the travelers• Add additional guests — By adding other members of your party to your reservation, you give your host more time to prepare. Communication between host and guest is crucial to a good Airbnb stay, so try to let them know if you suspect more guests will be joining you.• Don't forget your emergency contact — Though it is rare that this contact will be needed, emergency contacts are a simple thing to add to your Airbnb account. By doing this, you can protect your peace of mind while on vacation.• Communicate plans with your host — As stated before, communication is key to a smooth experience. If your listing has a grill, make sure you know the proper way to operate it before jumping right in. Additionally, familiarize yourself with your host's wishes and local law in regard to fireworks. The Fourth is a holiday of celebration, and a vacation gone wrong is no way to celebrate freedom.• Respect your neighbors — The community around you is just as important as your host. Your listing's house rules should include things like quiet hours and rules around loud music to be followed. When deciding when and what to do, imagine if you were your own neighbor. Treat the surrounding homes with the same respect you would want yours to receive.• Water safety tips — Especially around the lake but also for those visiting the ocean or even pool. Each body of water is different, so it's important to research when and where you may be allowed to swim. Accidental drownings can happen in an instant, so always be fully aware of children when near water.For the hosts• Safety and essentials — Equipping homes and guests with the right emergency tools is one of the duties for Airbnb hosts. Keeping smoke and carbon monoxide detectors functioning, fire extinguishers and first aid kits are something guests should be notified of during their stay.• Get to know your guests in advance — By using the Airbnb app, hosts and guests have the ability to chat before meeting. This gives guests the chance to ask questions about the area and hosts the ability to communicate rules and settle things like check-in times. During this phase, hosts should take the initiative to understand why the guests chose the area, so they can better the experience of their guests.• Set clear expectations — Listing descriptions offer the hosts the ability to describe their home's features and amenities to future guests. It is also a great way to outline expectations, as many guests decide where they stay on the atmosphere of the area. Quiet hours and rules are a good thing to be included here, especially during the holidays.For all Airbnb users• Only communicate through the platform — The surge in activity this weekend may look appetizing to unsavory characters. By keeping communication on Airbnb, hosts and guests can be assured they will both be protected from scams and dangerous activity.• Any concerns are worth reaching out for — If an issue arises, Airbnb's team is available 24/7 in 11 different languages. Through them, it is possible to rebook, refund or reimburse.