5 Unexpected Ways You Can Make Your Airbnb Instantly Safer — Starting at $12

Although Airbnb hosts must follow safety protocols and the platform publishes its own set of safety tips for Airbnb guests, booking a rental in a home or space someone else maintains can feel like a leap of faith. And since you won't find an on-site concierge or front desk staff, you'd be smart to establish a few preparation best practices of your own so you feel safe and secure whenever you book these accommodations.

Of course, that's not to say you should freak out or overpack in a panic. "Bringing your own door locks seems like overkill and prone to user error that could prohibit you from actually getting out if you need to," says Stephanie Rivera, who has been operating an Airbnb business in Southern California for four years. The same goes for bringing your a portable safe, she says: "Those are really just saying, 'Hey there, Mr. Bad Guy, all the stuff you want is right in here!'"

Instead of overdoing it, the best course of action is to be reasonable and practical. What it comes down to, Rivera explains, is "just how much extra stuff do you want to pack?" The sweet spot, she recommends, is a few key — small, lightweight, affordable — products that help contribute to your personal and your belongings' safekeeping and your peace of mind. Below, you'll find five foolproof personal safety travel essentials that deserve a spot on your Airbnb packing list. Bonus: Each item is available now at Amazon, with fast, free shipping for Prime members (so you can grab what you need before that next trip).

Lunarlipes Portable Carbon Monoxide Detector

Airbnb allows hosts to specify whether or not their property has a smoke or carbon monoxide detector on site. If the property doesn't have one of its own (or if you don't trust it works), Rivera says that "it's not a bad idea" to bring a carbon monoxide detector with you for safety. It's easier to operate than you'd think, given how small and portable some models are, like this one — which weighs just about 3 ounces and is about the size of a TV remote control.

Anker Power Bank

Carrying a backup power bank is good practice for any traveler, but you might not think you need one when staying in an Airbnb with plenty of wall outlets. Think again, advises Rivera, whose Airbnbs are located in a region of the country where natural disasters like fires are feasible eventualities (as are many areas of the world in the age of climate change). "If the power goes out, you won’t be able to charge or use Wi-Fi," she says. "You’ll need your cell phone plan to stay up to date and out of danger. For the same reason, you might consider bringing along a small, portable flashlight, too, Rivera suggests.

Easytest Pool and Hot Tub Test Strip Kit

If you're staying at a rental with a pool or hot tub, consider traveling with your own test strip kit to get a sense of the water's chemical levels and any potential for waterborne hazards. But, Rivera warns, if you're going to the effort of traveling with them, make sure you take your time with the tests — and that you actually know how to read them accurately. "The problem is that you want them to be like a pregnancy test" — that is, unambiguous — "but they are notoriously hard to read. Like, what shade of purple is that?" Match the strip results to the guide printed on the container.

Amazon Basics Cable Lock

Whether you're traveling for business or leisure (or that hybrid known cheekily as "bleisure"), you want to make sure your most valuable tech tool is safe: your laptop. Rivera recommends bringing along a lightweight cable lock to keep your laptop right where you left it — and not in the hands of any would-be thieves — and beef up your peace of mind when you're on the go. This little tool is also handy if you have your laptop out at, say, a cafe or an airport.

First Aid Only 299-piece First-aid Kit

Many Airbnb hosts provide, at the very least, basic first-aid supplies in their rental locations. But that doesn't mean you should count on the one specific item you're looking for to actually be stocked in the rental home's inventory at the time you need it. "You won’t know what has already been spoken for" by a previous guest and not yet replaced in time for your stay, Rivera says. So it's always smart to bring a basic but well-stocked kit of your own, like this one that's equipped with 299 pieces of emergency first-aid supplies at the budget-friendly price of $21. 

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