This Is the One Thing You Absolutely Must Check Before Booking a Hotel, Motel or Airbnb (It’s a Matter of Safety!)
Just the process of planning a getaway can boost your mood, from selecting a destination to mapping out what to do once you arrive. But one of the most important decisions is choosing where to stay. Yes, it can take a lot of time to sift through all those options, but doing a deep dive into what a hotel, Airbnb or other short-term rental offers is worth it since lodging can so often make or break a vacation.
While most of us zero in on the comforts and perks we want—I always go for a place in the center of the action, and a recent stay at the boutique hotel Kadún in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, didn’t disappoint—many travelers overlook a key detail. And skipping it could literally be a matter of life and death.
I spoke with three experts to find out that one thing every traveler should always check before booking a stay in any temporary home away from home—and again upon arrival. Here’s what you need to keep in mind when planning a trip.
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What should you always check before booking a stay?
Travelers should make sure any hotel or short-term rental has working carbon monoxide detectors, especially since they’re not guaranteed in every property.
“It’s easy to shrug off symptoms [from carbon monoxide poisoning] as just being tired from traveling or from eating something that didn’t agree with you,” explains Jason R. Margulies, a board-certified admiralty and maritime lawyer who has extensive experience in handling personal injury and wrongful death cases related to cruise ships, hotels and resorts. “However, fatal incidents have happened at every kind of property, from the budget places to top luxury resorts, both here in the States and in other destinations.”
What is carbon monoxide, and why is it so dangerous?
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can quickly build up indoors without being detected, warns Alex LeBeau, PhD, an exposure scientist and the owner of Exposure Assessment Consulting, who specializes in toxicology, industrial hygiene, risk assessment and public health. “Because carbon monoxide is both colorless and tasteless, people [often] do not know they are being exposed until it is too late,” he says.
The primary indoor source of carbon monoxide is the incomplete combustion of fuel—anything from gasoline and coal to wood and natural gas—especially when a space isn’t properly ventilated. That means it can be emitted from everyday household items like gas stoves, furnaces, fireplaces and propane heaters, among others. “Health effects from exposure can include headache, fatigue, nausea, confusion, shortness of breath, muscle dysfunction and potentially death,” LeBeau says.
How do you know if your room or rental has a carbon monoxide detector?
It’s critical to check both during your planning process and once you’ve arrived where you’re staying, according to Margulies. Before booking, ask the property directly whether it has CO detectors in or just outside all guest rooms. “Some just have them in the common areas,” he says.
If you’re using platforms like Airbnb, hosts may indicate in their listing whether a carbon monoxide detector is present, but it’s still worth double-checking. Margulies even suggests using the requirement as a search filter when looking for lodging.
Once you’re at the property, take a moment to confirm that carbon monoxide detectors are actually installed.
Is there anything else you can do?
Tamer Sayed, a licensed HVAC expert, says it’s smart to ask to see and even test the CO detector. For some extra peace of mind, you might also consider bringing a portable CO alarm designed for travel. (Sayed recommends buying one that’s compact, battery-operated and easy to pack.)
If you’re staying in a larger vacation rental, how many detectors are ideal?
According to Sayed, larger properties should have at least one carbon monoxide detector near sleeping areas and at least one per floor, especially near heating systems and any other fuel-burning appliances.
Are there any types of hotel rooms you should avoid?
“If you get a room near pool equipment or the mechanical room, I’d suggest requesting a different room,” Margulies says. “These are where faulty heaters can cause CO leaks.”
HVAC expert Sayed adds that attached garages and nearby parking structures could also pose a risk. “If someone’s running a car inside it, the vehicle can still produce CO that spreads through the space,” he says.
Is it ever OK to stay somewhere without a carbon monoxide detector?
It’s better to err on the side of caution when it comes to the risk of carbon monoxide, and Sayed says staying somewhere without detectors is generally not considered safe. “Book accommodations with high ratings for comfort, amenities and safety measures,” he says, “but don’t book based on aesthetics alone, and avoid accommodations that may be unregulated.”
Aren’t carbon monoxide detectors required by law?
Not necessarily. “Travelers tend to assume hotels uphold the same safety standards as their homes, and that can prove deadly,” Margulies says. In the United States, for example, “there aren’t any federal requirements for having CO detectors in hotels or vacation rentals.”
Instead, laws vary by state, and many apply only in certain situations, such as when fuel-burning appliances are present or the property is new construction.
Currently, a patchwork of state laws address carbon monoxide detectors in hotels and short-term rentals, with some states—including California, Delaware, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin—having detector requirements in certain lodgings or buildings.
That could change in the future. There is pending bipartisan federal legislation in Congress—the Safe Stay Act, introduced last year—that would require carbon monoxide detectors to be installed in every hotel and motel room, as well as in short-term rentals nationwide.
What about carbon monoxide detector laws in other countries?
There’s no global standard for carbon monoxide detectors, and requirements vary widely. Travelers should be mindful in destinations where fuel-burning appliances are common, such as in colder areas or places where safety regulations may differ or be less comprehensive.
“The risk [often] depends on the age and location of the establishment,” Sayed explains. “Older accommodations may not have updated safety measures, particularly carbon monoxide detectors, and may have poorly maintained gas heaters and ductwork.”
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About the experts
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Sources:
- Alex LeBeau, PhD, MPH, CIH, owner of Exposure Assessment Consulting; email interview, March 2026
- Jason R. Margulies, board-certified admiralty and maritime lawyer and co-managing partner of Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A.; email interview, March 2026
- Tamer Sayed, licensed HVAC expert and the owner-operator of Tamas Mechanical; email interview, March 2026
- National Library of Medicine: “Carbon monoxide poisonings in hotels and motels: The problem silently continues”
- Congresswoman Angie Craig: “Reps. Craig, Levin Reintroduce Legislation to Require Carbon Monoxide Detectors in Hotel Rooms and Short-Term Rentals”
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