Cold Comfort THE HIDDEN WINTER DANGERS IN AIRBNBS
4. Power Outages and Poor Lighting Even finding the bathroom can be risky when the lights go out in an unfamiliar layout. Keep your phone flashlight handy and note emergency exits when you arrive. If you’re renting this winter, do a five- minute safety sweep: • Check stairs, decks, and railings. • Test smoke and CO detectors. • Ask who handles snow removal. • Know where emergency contacts are posted. A little awareness goes a long way toward keeping your getaway safe and your memories happy. And if something goes wrong, remember, even on vacation, you still have rights. At Spada Law Group, we help Massachusetts residents who are injured away from home, whether at a ski lodge, hotel, or Airbnb, get the answers and help they deserve.
For many of us, winter means packing up for a cozy weekend getaway: a ski condo in Vermont, a cabin in New Hampshire, or a “charming” Airbnb up north with a wood stove and a mountain view. But those rustic retreats can come with hazards most guests never consider until it’s too late. I know I often discuss Airbnb injuries; you’re right, it’s a lot. But new seasons bring new safety concerns, and I’ll continue to harp on this topic season by season. Why? Because these cases keep happening, and a little awareness can save a lot of pain, frustration, and ruined vacations. Airbnbs and other short-term rentals aren’t managed like hotels. Many are run by well-meaning homeowners who don’t fully understand the safety standards they’re supposed to meet, especially in winter. Here are four hidden dangers we see every year when the snow starts to fall. 1. Icy Walkways and Driveways Not every host wakes up early to shovel or salt. Under Massachusetts law, property owners, including short-
term rental hosts, have a duty to keep their premises reasonably safe. A slip on black ice at a rental property can lead to serious injuries and legal questions about who was responsible for maintenance: the host, a property manager, or even a snow-removal contractor. 2. Faulty or Improvised Heating Portable space heaters and fireplaces might make a rental feel “homey,” but they’re also among the top causes of winter house fires. And carbon monoxide (CO) buildup from unvented stoves or blocked chimneys is an even greater danger. Every Massachusetts dwelling is required to have working CO detectors, but that doesn’t mean every Airbnb does. Always find and test them when you arrive. 3. Decks, Hot Tubs, and Stairs Moisture and freezing temperatures can turn wooden decks into ice rinks or weaken old railings. Many “rustic” cabins skip proper handrails or use steep, uneven stairs that don’t meet code. Add ski boots or wet shoes, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.
“My experience with Spada Law has been wonderful. Their attention and interest in helping were very clear. I received an excellent settlement for all the damages received, and the process lasted a few months. Very good, I recommend them!” –Carlos Gordillo
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