EMERGING IS SUES As the popularity of short-term rentals continues to grow, so do the deaths and injuries associated with these properties. According to the author- an international vacation rental safety expert-it's time to introduce a commercial approach to safety in short-term rentals. BY JUSTIN FORD Seven people perished in a fire that destroyed a historic building in Old Montreal in March. Some of the victims had rented short-term accommodations in the building from Airbnb, even though short-term rentals were illegal in the neighborhood. According to reports, the building was cited for multiple fire code violations between 2009 and 2018, including blocked and dead-end secondary exits and a noncompliant fire alarm system. 56 | NFPA JOURNAL * FALL 2023