Why Airbnb Hosts Fear Guests Doing These Three Things in the Pool

November 17, 2025 Marcus Thorne

If your listing has a pool, you already know it can be the star amenity that boosts bookings, rates, and five‑star reviews. You also know it’s the riskiest feature in your backyard. Speaking as a pool automation specialist who lives for stress‑free, sparkling water, I can tell you there are three guest behaviors that worry hosts far more than spilled sunscreen or a few extra leaves. They’re not mysterious, and they’re absolutely preventable with the right mix of smart tech, clear communication, and a few unglamorous but crucial safety details.

Before we dive in, it’s worth noting the larger context. Pool injuries send well over a hundred thousand people to the ER each year, and a large majority of fatal drownings happen at residential properties, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and insurance analyses summarized by Proper Insurance. Hosts shoulder responsibility under local safety rules and federal drain‑safety law (the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act), and even a single incident can jeopardize insurance coverage and future bookings. The good news is that hosts who invest in visible safety measures tend to see better guest trust and conversion, a trend pool‑safety providers like PoolGuard USA have highlighted.

The First Thing: Bringing Glass to the Pool

It looks harmless enough. A guest steps out with wine flutes or beer bottles because it’s a vacation and the lighting is perfect. Then one glass drops. When tempered or thin glass shatters on a wet deck or in water, it fragments into razor‑sharp shards you can’t spot easily from the surface. If pieces enter the pool, the only safe response is to close the water, halt circulation so fragments aren’t pulled into equipment, and carefully remove debris from the floor and skimmers before doing a thorough visibility and touch test. If shards get into the filter or plumbing, your downtime stretches, your maintenance cost climbs, and the guest experience nosedives.

Short‑term rental pros repeat the same lesson for a reason. Turner‑over specialists and host education sites emphasize a strict no‑glass policy and recommend supplying attractive, dishwasher‑safe plastic drinkware instead. Service firms like ShortTermRentalManager point out that broken glass in a pool is both unsafe and time‑consuming to remove, and hosts who proactively stock shatterproof tumblers, wine and beer cups, pitchers, and even can koozies make it easy for guests to comply. The combination of a positive alternative and clear signage outperforms warnings alone.

From a maintenance and automation lens, banishing glass protects more than toes. It also protects pumps, heaters, and filters from damage. If you use smart flow or pressure sensors, you can detect abnormal resistance that might follow a contamination event, but prevention is the true win. Keep chemicals and tools locked out of guest view, as multiple rental‑focused guides advise; guests are less likely to try their own “fix” if they never see a chemical bucket or vacuum head in the first place.

Broken glass shards on a wet pool deck, sparkling in sunlight next to a swimming pool, showing Airbnb property damage.

The Second Thing: Diving Into Shallow Water and Rough Play

Hosts dread glass because it can shut a pool down. They dread diving and rough play because it can shut a vacation down. The liability exposure is real. Insurance providers note that pool injury claims are common, and industry data summarized by Proper Insurance shows hundreds of thousands of pool‑related ER visits in a recent year, with a disproportionate number tied to diving boards, slides, and similar hazards. Safety advocates and pool‑fencing providers remind hosts that residential settings account for the majority of fatal drownings, and public‑health data from the CDC underscores how vulnerable children are in and around water.

Diving in water under 5 ft is a particular flash point, and it’s exactly why professional property managers and landlord associations advise adding big, legible depth markers and posting “No Diving” and “No Lifeguard on Duty” warnings even at private rentals. PoolGuard USA highlights that slides and diving boards are frequent lawsuit sources and that removing them is often an insurance requirement. Clear depth disclosures are more than a compliance nicety; they help unfamiliar swimmers instantly judge whether that tempting deep‑blue area is safe to jump into.

Rough play also hides in plain sight. Games like breath‑holding challenges and shoulder wars are obvious to you and me, but a relaxed group may not realize how quickly one person can slip underwater unnoticed, especially at dusk or with music up. Visibility matters as much as rules. Experienced STR safety teams like Breezeway urge hosts to remove oversized inflatables and toy clutter that can obscure the water surface. They also encourage a “Water Watcher” model: one sober adult wearing a simple lanyard or wristband whose only job, for a set block of time, is to watch the water without distractions. It’s low‑tech, high‑impact, and it works in real backyards.

Barriers and alarms add a crucial second layer. In many jurisdictions, a four‑sided isolation fence at least 4 ft high with a self‑closing, self‑latching gate is the baseline. Texas rules are a good example of how stringent the details are: gates must open outward, be self‑closing and self‑latching, and stay locked when the pool is closed or when manual chemicals are being added. Cities like Scottsdale specify STR pool‑barrier requirements, and hosts are expected to test gates and latches between stays and keep the barrier zone clear of climbable furniture. For indoor‑to‑yard transitions, door and pool alarms give hosts the extra heads‑up safety managers recommend; Breezeway suggests high‑decibel, auto‑reset models you check on a set cadence because guests sometimes tamper with batteries.

The third prong is signaling. Place rules where guests actually look: inside the listing, at digital check‑in, on a laminated card near the back door, and on a weatherproof sign by the pool gate. Hosts that make safety visible not only reduce incidents but also build trust. PoolGuard USA has reported meaningful jumps in conversion when listings clearly show safety gear and rules. It’s logical; families book the house that looks ready for them.

Colorful plastic glasses and a water pitcher on a poolside table for Airbnb guests.

The Third Thing: Tampering With Pool Systems and Chemistry

What your team sets up perfectly, a good‑hearted guest can undo in seconds. I see two patterns. The first is chemistry. A floating chlorinator bobbing in the water can look like a toy to kids and a handy knob to adults who assume “more chlorine equals cleaner.” Rental‑focused operators like Moxie Girl and ShortTermRentalManager caution against floaters for these exact reasons and prefer fixed, automatic tab feeders that dose at a controlled rate out of reach. Regardless of the system, chemicals should be stored locked and out of sight so guests never attempt to “help” by pouring shock or acid directly into the pool. Professional sources also warn never to add chemicals while swimmers are present, and some codes require gates to be locked during manual chemical addition, reinforcing that this is not a guest‑side activity.

The second pattern is equipment fiddling. Guests adjust valves to “make the waterfall stronger,” switch pumps off at the breaker to “save energy,” crank heaters far beyond design limits, or prop service doors open so kids can “peek at the filter.” The downstream effects are equipment strain, chemistry drift, hidden alarms that stop working, and safety layers that quietly disappear. A more subtle version involves inflatables and novelty devices. Non‑certified floatation toys create false confidence and block sightlines. Safety practitioners recommend supplying only U.S. Coast Guard‑approved life jackets for weak swimmers and removing left‑behind inflatables at every turnover. Proper Insurance also advises discarding non‑certified devices and avoiding toy clutter that complicates supervision.

Automation is your ally here. Smart chemical monitors and automated feeders keep sanitizer and pH in range with alerts if levels drift outside targets. Insurers and landlord‑advisory groups note that automated testers provide logs, which help both water quality and compliance documentation. Pump controllers with lockable setpoints prevent casual changes, and simple magnetic or tilt sensors on equipment doors let your team know if someone accesses a panel that’s supposed to remain closed. Door and gate alarms, as mentioned earlier, add supervisory awareness without turning the backyard into a surveillance project. Pair these with a housekeeping and pool‑tech checklist: check alarms, latches, drains, and visible rescue gear weekly during peak season and document with photos. Breezeway’s safety managers encourage structured inspections with evidence; it’s a professional habit that pays off.

Why These Three Behaviors Become Expensive Fast

Glass contamination, shallow‑water diving, and equipment tampering share a costly trait: they multiply risk and downtime simultaneously. A broken glass event can force a closure for specialized cleanup and inspection, potentially compounding into refunds or lost nights. A diving or rough‑play injury is a human crisis first and a legal one second, amplified by the fact that many standard homeowner policies exclude short‑term rental pool incidents; host liability programs exist, but specialized vacation‑rental coverage is strongly recommended by companies like Proper Insurance. Tampering causes an invisible cascade. A pump shutoff undermines circulation, sanitizer dispersal, and filtration. Chemistry drifting out of range increases algae and pathogen risk, and if a guest gets sick, improper maintenance becomes part of the claim narrative.

The irony is that steady, professional upkeep is not exorbitant. Rental‑operations guides peg typical annual pool maintenance around $1,450.00, with additional service during heavy‑use periods. Compared to one incident’s direct and reputational costs, that’s a bargain. Multiple sources—Maritime Pools, Breezeway, and landlord groups—encourage increasing test frequency, brushing, and filter checks to match occupancy and bather load. In practice, that means twice‑weekly service in peak season, plus quick skims and visual checks at turnovers.

Practical Fixes That Keep Your Pool Guest‑Ready

A stress‑free STR pool rests on four pillars: visible safety, automated water care, reliable barriers and alarms, and consistent communications. Here’s how those translate from guidance to action.

Start with visible, redundant safety. Install and maintain an isolation fence at least 4 ft high with a self‑closing, self‑latching, outward‑opening gate. Cities such as Scottsdale expect STR hosts to verify latch heights and keep a 36‑inch clear zone outside the barrier free of climbables. Texas rules go further for certain facilities, and even where specifics differ, the principle is identical: prevent unsupervised entry, keep gates shut, and lock the area when conditions are hazardous or when adding chemicals. Post crisp, professional signage at eye level: “No Diving,” “No Glass,” “No Running on Deck,” and “No Lifeguard on Duty.” Include large, legible depth markers around the perimeter. Proper Insurance stresses that depth disclosure and markers reduce injuries and claims; PoolGuard USA notes that many carriers require removing slides and diving boards entirely.

Automate your water care. A fixed automatic tab feeder beats a floating chlorinator for rentals because it doses consistently and keeps tablets out of reach. Add a smart monitor for sanitizer and pH to notify your team when readings drift. Landlord‑insurance advisors like Steadily point out that automated testers also create time‑stamped logs, which can support coverage and show diligence if you ever need to file a claim. Keep chemicals secured in a locked, labeled area away from the pool and out of guest view. Never direct guests to add any chemical to the water; that’s a service‑team task only.

Make barriers and alerts part of routine ops. Pair your fence with pool and door alarms to highlight unsanctioned access and propped‑open gates. Safety pros recommend testing alarms on a weekly or monthly cadence because batteries die and guests sometimes silence chirps. If you operate in windy areas, use reinforced self‑closing hardware and recheck latches between stays. Keep a shepherd’s crook or reaching pole at the water’s edge; seasoned managers point out it’s often more practical than a life ring in small residential pools. Check underwater and perimeter lighting so the bottom is visible after dark, which helps both safety and guest confidence.

Close the glass loop. Ban glass outright on the pool deck and in the water. Make compliance effortless by stocking attractive, shatterproof plastic drinkware and a labeled bin outdoors. Hosts in sunny markets report that visible supplies near the back door dramatically cut noncompliance. It’s the cheapest win on this entire list.

Communicate early, everywhere, and consistently. Put rules prominently in your listing, house manual, and pre‑arrival messages. Require active adult supervision for children and introduce the “Water Watcher” concept with a simple card or wristband at the property. Ask guests to acknowledge rules during digital check‑in. PoolGuard USA notes that listings that highlight safety measures convert better; guests appreciate clarity.

Finally, reinforce your paper trail. Keep inspection and service logs, including chemistry readings, photos of safety gear in place, and any incident notes. Some jurisdictions and insurers want to see documentation, and even when they don’t, your future self will.

No Diving" sign by a blue swimming pool, highlighting pool safety rules for Airbnb guests.

Quick Comparison Tables You Can Steal

Here are two concise tables you can adapt into your property binder and ops docs.

Guest Behavior Hosts Fear	Why It’s Risky	Safety and Ops Fix	What to Tell Guests
Bringing glass to the pool	Invisible shards, equipment damage, forced closures	Ban glass; stock shatterproof drinkware; post “No Glass” signs; train cleaners to remove any glass left behind	“Please use the provided pool-safe cups and pitchers; glass is not permitted on the deck or in the water.”
Diving and rough play	Head/spinal injuries; most drownings at residential sites; insurance exposure	Remove slides/diving boards; post “No Diving”; add depth markers; keep rescue gear visible; enforce supervision and “Water Watcher”	“No diving. Children swim only with active adult supervision at arm’s reach.”
Tampering with equipment/chemicals	Chemistry drift; pump/heater damage; disabled safety layers	Lock equipment and chemical storage; use automated feeders and smart monitors; add door/gate alarms; set controller lockouts	“Please don’t adjust pool equipment or add chemicals; our techs handle water care on schedule.”

Chlorination Method	Pros	Cons	Best Use in STRs
Floating chlorinator	Inexpensive, portable	Looks like a toy; guests adjust settings; tablets accessible; uneven dosing	Avoid; replace with fixed auto‑feeder
Automatic tab feeder (fixed)	Consistent dosing; tamper‑resistant; out of reach	Requires installation and setpoint management	Preferred; pair with smart chemistry monitoring

Barefoot Airbnb host supervises children guests playing in a backyard pool.

Definitions That Matter More Than Jargon

Hosts don’t need alphabet soup, but a few terms are worth having at your fingertips. An isolation fence is a four‑sided barrier that completely separates the pool from the home and yard and includes a self‑closing, self‑latching, outward‑opening gate; this configuration reduces unsupervised access and is a baseline in many codes. The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act is the U.S. federal law requiring compliant, anti‑entrapment drain covers and other safety standards to prevent hair or body entrapment. A Water Watcher is a designated, sober adult who actively supervises swimmers without distractions; safety trainers recommend a wristband or lanyard to make the role obvious. A pool addendum is a lease attachment that spells out rules, responsibilities, and risk acknowledgment, which property‑management companies say helps reduce liability and sets clear expectations.

Black mesh pool safety fence with gate protecting an Airbnb swimming pool.

What the Data and the Lawyers Keep Telling Hosts

A few facts carry weight when you’re balancing amenity value against risk. Pool injury claims are common, and residential settings are where most drownings occur, as summarized by Proper Insurance from public‑health sources and consumer‑safety agencies. Slides and diving boards are frequent lawsuit sources, and many carriers require removing them, according to PoolGuard USA. Listings that showcase safety gear and rules tend to convert better, which matches what hosts see anecdotally when families are choosing between otherwise similar homes. Airbnb’s Host Liability Insurance can help up to $1,000,000.00, but specialized short‑term rental coverage tailored for pools is recommended by vacation‑rental insurers because standard policies often exclude incidents connected to commercial hosting. Multiple safety teams also point to well‑known case signals in the courts, where missing depth markers or safety lines have contributed to negligence findings.

None of this should scare you away from having a pool. It should motivate you to make safety conspicuous, automate the parts guests should never touch, and remove the ambiguity that leads to bad split‑second decisions.

A Short, Useful FAQ

What should I do if a guest reports broken glass in or near the pool? Close the pool immediately, stop the pump to avoid pulling glass into equipment, and have your pool professional perform a deep vacuum and inspection before reopening. Communicate clearly with the guest and adjust schedules as needed. This is the strongest argument for enforcing a no‑glass policy and stocking shatterproof drinkware from day one.

Are depth markers required in a private rental? Requirements vary. Even where not mandated, safety providers and insurers recommend permanent, legible depth markers and accurate depth disclosures in the listing. They reduce diving‑related injuries and help unfamiliar swimmers make safer choices.

Can I leave fun inflatables for guests? Keep it simple. Remove leftover inflatables at every turnover and avoid supplying non‑certified floatation toys. Offer Coast Guard‑approved life jackets for weak swimmers and keep the water surface unobstructed for visibility, a practice encouraged by STR safety managers.

How often should vacation‑rental pools be serviced in peak season? More frequently than owner‑occupied pools. Rental‑operations guides suggest at least twice weekly in heavy‑use periods, with smart chemistry monitoring and documented checks between visits, because higher bather loads rapidly increase sanitizer demand and debris.

The Warm, Low‑Stress Close

Pool safety isn’t about scaring guests or drowning your team in rules; it’s about building a backyard that runs itself and delights families without surprises. Ban the glass, ban the diving, lock down the gear, and let automation handle the rest. If you want help making that happen, I’m here to turn your pool into the most relaxing part of hosting, not the part that keeps you up at night.

Sources referenced in this article include guidance and data from the CDC, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, PoolGuard USA, Proper Insurance, Breezeway, Moxie Girl, ShortTermRentalManager, Steadily, city requirements exemplified by Scottsdale, and barrier rules exemplified by Texas Administrative Code.

Locked pool chemical cabinet for Airbnb guest safety.

References

About the author

Marcus Thorne

Certified Pool Operator (CPO)Automation Expert

Marcus Thorne is a Certified Pool Operator (CPO) with over a decade of hands-on experience in solving the exact pool problems you face. As a specialist in pool automation, he bridges the gap between complex tech and a stress-free backyard. His practical, data-driven advice is dedicated to helping you spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying your perfect pool.

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