Airbnb's Silent Killer
nbcnews.com
Airbnb's Silent Killer
1–10 of 18 posts
Re: Airbnb's Silent Killer
#2It always struck me as strange that AirBnB never went in the direction of providing a simple base station with a CO/CO2 detector, noise sensor, Wifi AP (for IoT locks, lights, etc). I know the whole “hardware is hard” thing but you can surely find a vendor already selling something like this that’s most of the way there and can be white labeled.
I suppose on the flip side, rental gig economics is often predicated on the fact that corporate provides as little as legally or even ethically possible.
Re: Airbnb's Silent Killer
#3It always struck me as strange that AirBnB never went in the direction of providing a simple base station with a CO/CO2 detector, noise sensor, Wifi AP (for IoT locks, lights, etc). I know the whole “hardware is hard” thing but you can surely find a vendor already selling something like this that’s most of the way there and can be white labeled. I suppose on the flip side, rental gig economics is often predicated on…
Hardware is doubly hard when you are as international as AirBnB. Wifi has to conform to local regs with regard to channels and tx power. I wouldn't be surprised if there were varying local regs for CO detectors, too.
Re: Airbnb's Silent Killer
#4Between safety issues like this, the fact that the buildings aren't regularly inspected, that there's been numerous discoveries of hidden cameras, and the general lack of service, etc I still can't believe anyone would stay in a thing like this.
Communities should pass laws that any residency being used in this manner (for-profit rental) needs to have regular fire inspection, be up to code when it comes to sensors, have certain levels of liability insurance, and sign affidavits stating there are no cameras and punish violations with large monetary fines. If you're going to use your home as a business then it should be treated like one.
Re: Airbnb's Silent Killer
#5It always struck me as strange that AirBnB never went in the direction of providing a simple base station with a CO/CO2 detector, noise sensor, Wifi AP (for IoT locks, lights, etc). I know the whole “hardware is hard” thing but you can surely find a vendor already selling something like this that’s most of the way there and can be white labeled. I suppose on the flip side, rental gig economics is often predicated on…
Hardware is doubly hard when you are as international as AirBnB. Wifi has to conform to local regs with regard to channels and tx power. I wouldn't be surprised if there were varying local regs for CO detectors, too.
I mean plenty of companies do offer these things, so likely you’d just subcontract out to them. And it’s not like you need to offer everything everywhere all at once.
Re: Airbnb's Silent Killer
#6How many stays does this 10 year period represent, and what is the rate of carbon monoxide deaths in the countries represented here? That is, is there any reason to believe there is an increased risk from staying at these AirBnbs, compared to staying in other homes in those countries? If not, then presumably what you want to do is call for these countries to mandate carbon monoxide detectors in homes, which would then cover AirBnb as well.
Re: Airbnb's Silent Killer
#7This looks like someone with a grudge against AirBNB.
Looking in the US alone, there are about 1000 carbon-monoxide deaths per year. The article says that there have been 19 deaths in AirBNB properties in a decade, and I believe they are speaking of worldwide numbers, not just in the US. It's hard to do exact numbers, but it looks like AirBNB properties are actually quite safe.
Re: Airbnb's Silent Killer
#8Between safety issues like this, the fact that the buildings aren't regularly inspected, that there's been numerous discoveries of hidden cameras, and the general lack of service, etc I still can't believe anyone would stay in a thing like this. Communities should pass laws that any residency being used in this manner (for-profit rental) needs to have regular fire inspection, be up to code when it comes to sensors, h…
> ...I still can't believe anyone would stay in a thing like this.
What alternatives are there for large groups of say 10-20 close friends/family that are that well priced with the amenities the average AirBnb offers (kitchen, pool, living room, etc.)? Hotels are not really an option for that size if you all want to be together with private communal areas.
Re: Airbnb's Silent Killer
#9The article says all of these happened overseas.
"All of the deaths reviewed by NBC News happened outside the U.S., where regulations regarding carbon monoxide detectors are inconsistent"
Did the hosts conform to local laws and regulations? If so then any guests would face similar issue no matter where they rent...maybe even a higher chance of CO poisoning. Seems like the local governments of Mexico etc should enforce this. After all, why should only AirBnB guests be protected?
Re: Airbnb's Silent Killer
#10This looks like someone with a grudge against AirBNB. Looking in the US alone, there are about 1000 carbon-monoxide deaths per year . The article says that there have been 19 deaths in AirBNB properties in a decade , and I believe they are speaking of worldwide numbers, not just in the US. It's hard to do exact numbers, but it looks like AirBNB properties are actually quite safe.
Yep, a quick google throws up plenty of CO poisonings and deaths in hotels over the past 10-20 years, including big name chains.