Emergency Information for Vacation Rental Guests: The Page That Could Save a Life

In an emergency, your guests need three things within 30 seconds: the number to call (112 across Europe), the exact address of your property, and the location of the first aid kit and fire extinguisher. A clear emergency page in your welcome book delivers all three.

112 in Europe: what international guests need to know

Any guest, from any country, can dial 112 from any phone, anywhere in Europe, even without a local SIM card or credit. Operators in most countries also speak English. Even so, several countries keep additional numbers alongside 112, worth knowing before a panicked guest starts searching.

Your welcome book should spell out what guests need to say the moment someone picks up: the full address (not just the town name or "the cottage by the lake"), what is happening, and how many people are involved. A guest who only blurts out the village name under stress loses precious time. Put the complete address, including postcode, in large text at the top of the page.

Copy this block, ready to fill in, at the top of your emergency page:

"EMERGENCY – CALL 112 FIRST

Address of this property: [street, number, postcode, town]

First aid kit: [location, e.g. kitchen cabinet under the sink]

Fire extinguisher: [location, e.g. hallway by the front door]

Host contact: [name] – [phone number], reachable [hours]"

Every line in this block earns its place: the address sits at the top because that is what guests need first under stress, the first aid and extinguisher locations come right after because minor accidents happen far more often than major ones, and your phone number sits last as the safety net for anything that isn't life-threatening but still needs your attention.

Fire safety checklist for vacation rental hosts

Fire is one of the most common emergencies in vacation rentals, often caused by an open fireplace, an unattended barbecue, or a candle nobody blew out. A short checklist in your welcome book prevents panic and ensures guests know exactly where the extinguisher is and which route leads outside.

Cover at minimum: the location of smoke detectors and whether guests may test them, where the fire blanket hangs in the kitchen, a simple floor plan showing the escape route and an outdoor meeting point, and the instruction to always use the stairs, never a lift, during a fire. For a fuller version, point guests to fire safety checklist for vacation rental hosts.

First aid kit contents for holiday homes

A well-stocked first aid kit belongs in every vacation rental, but only helps if guests know where it is and what's inside. Note the exact location and a short contents list, so guests don't have to hunt for it once things already feel tense.

Include plasters in several sizes, sterile gauze, a bandage, scissors, antiseptic, a cold pack, and ideally a basic first aid card. Mention whether a defibrillator (AED) is nearby — a supermarket or town hall, for example — and how far that is on foot. More in first aid kit contents for holiday homes.

Gas leak, power outage, water damage: emergency procedures

Beyond fire and injury, gas leaks, power outages, and water damage are the most common emergencies in vacation rentals. For each, guests need to know exactly what they may do themselves — and when to call you or the emergency services straight away.

If guests suspect a gas leak: open windows, never touch a switch or lighter, leave the property, and call 112 from outside. For a power outage: state the fuse box location and whether guests may reset it themselves. For water damage: note the main shut-off valve, and instruct guests to shut off the water first, then call you. See also gas leak, power outage, water damage: emergency procedures.

Insurance and liability

Who is liable if a guest gets hurt on a loose stair tread, or a child knocks over a vase? Your welcome book should briefly state what insurance you hold as a host (typically property liability cover) and strongly advise guests to arrange their own travel and/or cancellation insurance.

Also explain what you expect from guests after an accident: take photos of the situation, contact you right away, and always call for medical help first if anyone is injured, before anything else gets arranged. Clarity up front prevents disputes afterwards. Read more in insurance and liability.

FAQ

Does 112 work even without a local SIM card or network coverage from my own provider?

Yes, 112 works from any phone with an active signal, even without a SIM card or your own plan, as long as there is mobile coverage somewhere nearby.

Should I offer the emergency page in multiple languages as a host?

Yes, especially if you host international guests. An emergency page only available in English won't help a panicked guest who doesn't speak it.

Where in the welcome book should the emergency page sit?

At the front, or in its own clearly labelled section — never buried between Wi-Fi codes and restaurant tips. In an emergency, searching should never cost time.

Should I also list the nearest urgent care clinic or hospital?

That's a valuable addition alongside 112, especially for non-life-threatening situations such as an insect bite or a child's mild fever.

Do I still need a printed emergency page if everything is already in the digital welcome book?

Yes, a physical copy by the front door or in the kitchen is worth having in case of a power outage or a dead phone.

Written by the Welcomap team — more about us.