How to Make Your Smoke Detectors Smart at a Short-Term Rental

Fire safety should be a top priority for every Airbnb or short-term rental host. Not only is it a legal requirement in many areas, but it’s something every guest expects—and something that can protect your home and business from serious damage.

When it comes to smart home automation, one of the biggest questions we hear is: “How do I make my smoke detectors smart without replacing all of them?”

The good news is, you don’t have to rip out your current setup to stay protected—or connected.

First Choice: Nest Protect Smoke Alarms

If you’re looking for a fully integrated, smart solution, Nest Protect is the gold standard.

✅ It’s a true smart smoke and carbon monoxide alarm.
✅ It connects to Wi-Fi and sends alerts to your phone.
✅ It includes voice alerts and motion-activated night lights.
✅ And most importantly—it interconnects wirelessly, even with battery-powered units.

This makes Nest Protect one of the only smart smoke alarms that can offer whole-home coverage and real-time alerts, without relying on outdated wiring.

🚨 The Tradeoff?

They’re expensive—especially if you’re installing them in every room of a multi-bedroom house.

Alternative Strategy: Mix and Match for Value and Coverage

If outfitting the entire property with Nest Protects isn’t realistic, you have two smart options:

✅ 1. Install a Single Nest Protect in a High-Risk Area

Place one Nest Protect in a central location—such as the kitchen, hallway, or main living area—so you still get real-time alerts in case of smoke or CO. This gives you smart monitoring where it matters most without replacing every unit.

✅ 2. Use a Smart Listener or Wired Signal Detector

Already have a system of interconnected detectors that meet code? Keep them. Just add a smart listener to monitor for alerts and integrate them with your home automation setup.

Recommended Smart Listener Devices

These devices let you:

• Keep your reliable existing detectors
• Get notified immediately if there’s an alarm—no matter where you are
• Monitor your property without needing to install all-new sensors

Why Smart Smoke Alarm Monitoring Matters for Hosts

🚨 Emergency Awareness
Get instant alerts on your phone if smoke or carbon monoxide is detected—even when guests don’t contact you.

🚭 Enforce No-Smoking Rules
Guests who smoke indoors may trigger your smoke detectors. Smart listeners give you proof and help enforce your house rules.

🧠 Peace of Mind When Managing Remotely
Whether you live nearby or out of state, knowing that your home is being monitored 24/7 offers confidence and protection.

Rather than replacing all your detectors with expensive smart models, add a listening device that integrates with your smart hub.

This gives you:

• Full property coverage
• Compatibility with smart home systems like
• Alerts you can act on instantly

It’s the easiest, safest way to make your smoke detectors smart at a short-term rental.

If you’re outfitting a short-term rental, Nest Protect is the best smart smoke alarm on the market—but it’s also the most expensive. That’s why many Airbnb hosts choose a hybrid strategy:

• Install one Nest Protect in a key location
• Add smart listeners to monitor existing detectors
• Connect everything with your smart home platform like SmartThings for full coverage and control

Don’t overcomplicate your fire safety strategy. Whether you go all-in with Nest Protect or use a cost-effective listener to monitor your existing system, what matters most is knowing when something goes wrong—even if your guests don’t say a word.