Staying Safe on Vacation

Guest Information

To help ensure your time on the Outer Banks is both fun and safe, please take a moment to review these important safety reminders and items to be aware of as you prepare for your vacation. For ocean safety tips, beach regulations, lifeguard stand locations, and more, head over to the Beach Safety page.

Seasonal Insect Awareness

Midges are small, non-biting flying insects that play an important part to the natural ecosystem of the Outer Banks. Midges are common year-round, especially in the warmer months, and tend to emerge in areas near channels, creeks, and large bodies of water such as the sound. They gather in very large, dense masses on the sides of homes, decks, vegetation and carports, and they are highly attracted to light. Swarms can be dense enough to interfere with outdoor activities. The presence of midges naturally attracts spiders and other insects who feed on them. Unfortunately, extermination and pest control of midges is ineffective due to their breeding habits and 24-hour lifecycle as adults. The best way to reduce the presence of midges at your vacation home is to:

  • Keep all exterior lights off
  • Empty any containers of standing water
  • Keep windows and doors shut
  • Close window shades at night
If midges are present during your stay, we suggest taking a broom or hose to the exterior of the home. If they get inside the home, we suggest using a vacuum with a hose extension.

Elevator Precautions

If the home you're renting has an elevator:

  • Children should not play in or around the elevator.
  • Do not allow a child to stand between the elevator gate and landing door.
  • Do not allow children or pets to ride the elevator unattended.
  • Never enter the elevator hoistway above or below the elevator cab for any reason.
  • Do not operate or attempt to operate the elevator if the cab gate or landing door locking system is not functioning properly.
  • Do not operate or attempt to operate the elevator if you detect any unusual sounds or the ride seems abnormal.
  • If the elevator is not operating properly, do not attempt to service or repair the elevator yourself.

Failure to follow these instructions could result in severe injury or death.

Road Safety

  • Vehicle drivers should use caution and be aware of pedestrians and bicyclists. Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists in crosswalks.
  • Pedestrians and bicyclists should use multi-use paths when available. Ride bicycles on the right in the same direction as vehicle traffic. Pedestrians should walk facing traffic.
  • Wear a helmet and obey all traffic signs and signals when biking.
  • Cross streets only at marked crosswalks.

At Your Vacation Home

Keep vacation homes and vehicles locked at all times. Money, credit cards, and other valuables should be kept in a secure location. Twiddy Housekeeping and Maintenance personnel will be wearing a Twiddy T-shirt or polo when visiting your vacation home. Other vendors should have their company logo on their clothing and/or vehicle. For anyone that stops by your vacation home, it is good practice to ask their name, who they work for, and why they are at the home. Please call Twiddy at (800) 489-4339 to report any suspicious activity at your vacation home.

At Your Vacation Home

Keep vacation homes and vehicles locked at all times. Money, credit cards, and other valuables should be kept in a secure location. Twiddy Housekeeping and Maintenance personnel will be wearing a Twiddy T-shirt or polo when visiting your vacation home. Other vendors should have their company logo on their clothing and/or vehicle. For anyone that stops by your vacation home, it is good practice to ask their name, who they work for, and why they are at the home. Please call Twiddy at (800) 489-4339 to report any suspicious activity at your vacation home.