Going home for the holidays family travel tips - A safety guide for hotel rooms and relatives' homes

November 2, 10:56 AMEarly Childhood Parenting ExaminerAngele Sionna

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If you're going to be staying at a hotel or at a relative's house that doesn't have young children, you're going to want to bring some childproofing items along with you and get your room ready for little ones as soon as you arrive.

Staying with relatives

• Make sure you talk with your relatives before you get there about what child safety precautions they've taken.
• Remind them that little hands are grabby, even if they're on their best manners.
• Ask nicely that everything valuable be moved to high points in the house or out of areas where the kids will be.
• Make sure to remind your host when you arrive about moving objects that you see that are sure to be targeted by your child.

Staying at a hotel

Here are a few tips from One Step Ahead about what you should do to make your hotel room safe for tots.

• Move dangerous items (including coffeepots, hair dryers, complimentary toiletries, drinking glasses, and dry cleaning bags) out of reach.
  
• Pull furniture away from windows. Make sure the windows and doors have sturdy locks (balcony doors especially).
  
• It the room includes a sharp-edged coffee table, either cover the edges with hand towels (you can tie or tape them on) or ask that the table be removed.
  
• Tie up loose blind cords. (Pipe cleaners work great for this.)
  
• Get down on your hands and knees and inspect for hazards such as pest poisons, peeling paint, or small items missed left behind by other guests.
  
• Cover exposed electrical outlets.
  
• Bring a childproofing kit with inexpensive outlet covers, removable, non-marring cabinet locks, and a roll-up safety gate.