Airbnb Emergency Information Sheet for Guests: What to Include

Quick answer: a guest-facing emergency information sheet should make essential local information easy to find without exposing private host records. Include the property address, local emergency number, host contact, backup contact, nearest appropriate medical reference, location of first-aid supplies, and clear property-specific emergency instructions where relevant.

Do not copy one country’s emergency number into every property. Emergency services, fire-safety rules, occupancy requirements, and required disclosures vary by location. Verify the information for the actual listing.

Put the property address first

A guest may know the listing name but not the exact address they need to tell emergency services. Display the complete property address in a clearly labeled section. For remote properties, include any location detail that local responders routinely need, but avoid publishing unnecessary private information.

Emergency contact fields

• Local emergency-services number.
• Host or property-manager contact.
• Backup contact if the host cannot be reached.
• Nearest appropriate hospital or urgent medical reference where useful.
• Building security, front desk, or site contact where relevant.

Airbnb’s host safety guidance recommends giving guests local emergency numbers, a nearby hospital contact, the host’s number, and a backup contact. It also recommends telling guests how to reach the host in an emergency.

Show the location of safety equipment

List the location of the first-aid kit, fire extinguisher, and other guest-accessible safety equipment that is actually provided. Do not imply that a sheet replaces required alarms, inspections, servicing, or building-code compliance.

Include a simple exit or evacuation reference where appropriate

For properties where an evacuation route is not obvious, a simple diagram or written instruction can help. Airbnb safety guidance encourages hosts to help guests understand hazards and emergency instructions. Local fire and building rules control what signage or equipment may be required.

Keep utility shutoff information appropriate for guests

Some hosts want guests to know how to stop a minor water emergency. Others prefer that guests contact the host and not operate building systems. Decide based on the property and risk. Do not expose controls that guests should not operate or publish detailed security information on a public-facing sheet.

Separate emergency information from private host operations

The guest sheet should not contain owner banking information, vendor pricing, maintenance history, permanent smart-lock credentials, alarm passwords, or private incident files. Keep those in the private property-management system.

Use clear language and large text

An emergency sheet is not the place for long legal disclaimers. Put the most important actions first, use headings and short lines, and make phone numbers and the property address easy to scan. If international guests are common, consider whether a translated version is appropriate.

Review the sheet whenever something changes

Update it when the host contact changes, the backup contact changes, a medical facility closes, building procedures change, or emergency numbers are updated. Add the review to a periodic host checklist rather than assuming the printed page remains correct forever.

Common mistakes

• Using the emergency number from another country or city.
• Listing a host phone number that is no longer monitored.
• Hiding the emergency sheet inside a long welcome book with no quick-access version.
• Including passwords or sensitive private information.
• Giving guests technical utility instructions they should not perform.
• Printing the sheet once and never reviewing it.

Connect it to the wider guest-information system

The Airbnb Emergency Checklist covers the broader host preparation process, while the Airbnb Guest Welcome Book handles everyday guest information. The emergency sheet should remain short enough to use quickly.

Where the Property Management Binder fits

The Property Management Binder separates guest-facing information from private property operations. Use the emergency page as a visible reference for guests while keeping maintenance, vendor, incident, and owner records private.

Frequently asked questions

Should the emergency sheet include 911?

Only if 911 is the correct emergency number for the property’s location. Use the local emergency number that actually applies.

Should guests get the host's personal mobile number?

Provide the contact method you actually monitor for the listing, plus a backup where appropriate. Many hosts also use Airbnb messaging for communication.

Should the Wi-Fi password be on the emergency sheet?

It can be kept in the welcome information, but the emergency sheet should stay focused on urgent information. Avoid mixing it with unrelated details.

Should utility shutoffs be shown?

Only if the instruction is safe, simple, and appropriate for guests. Otherwise tell guests to contact the host or emergency service.

Does an emergency sheet satisfy local safety rules?

Not by itself. Follow local requirements for alarms, extinguishers, exits, occupancy, permits, and other safety matters.

Sources and further reading

• Airbnb: Safety tips for hosts of places to stay
• Airbnb: emergency contact and safety guidance
• Airbnb — Emergency and safety information for Hosts
• U.S. Fire Administration — Home Fire Escape Plans

Example guest-facing layout

The top of the sheet can show the property address and local emergency number in large type. The next block lists the host contact and backup contact. A third block identifies the nearest relevant medical facility and the location of first-aid supplies. The bottom section can show property-specific instructions such as the primary exit route or what to do if a smoke alarm activates. Keep the order based on urgency.

Use local information, not a global template filled once

If you manage several properties in different cities or countries, each emergency sheet needs its own verified local data. A copied number from another property can be worse than no number because it creates false confidence during an urgent event.

Test the sheet from a guest's perspective

Stand in the property and ask whether a guest could find the sheet quickly at night, understand the address, and identify the correct contact without reading a full house manual. If the sheet is hidden behind several pages of marketing information, create a separate quick-reference copy.

Coordinate printed and digital information

If emergency information also appears in the guest manual, listing guide, or automated message, keep the details synchronized. When a phone number changes, update every active version. A simple revision date at the bottom of the printed sheet helps the host know when it was last checked.

Keep emergency instructions action-oriented

Use short statements such as “For immediate danger, contact local emergency services” and “Then contact the host when safe to do so.” Avoid long liability language, technical troubleshooting, or instructions that could delay an emergency call.

Emergency-sheet review checklist

• The property address is exact and readable.
• The local emergency number is correct for this property.
• Host and backup contacts are monitored.
• First-aid and safety-equipment locations are current.
• Exit information matches the actual property.
• No private passwords or owner records are exposed.
• Printed and digital versions show the same information.

Add a small “last reviewed” date so the host knows when to verify the sheet again. Emergency information should be treated as live operational data, not decorative wall content.

Before a new guest season starts

Re-check the emergency number, property address, host contacts, backup contact, first-aid location, and any evacuation information. Walk the property as a first-time guest would and confirm the sheet is visible. Replace damaged or outdated copies immediately rather than waiting for the next emergency.

Keep a private host copy

The guest sheet should stay intentionally simple, while the private host record can contain vendor contacts, maintenance history, and other operational details. Keeping two layers prevents the guest-facing page from becoming cluttered and reduces the chance of exposing information that visitors do not need.