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Step 1
Child-proof your room. Make sure there are no dangling cords on window shades, pad any furniture with sharp edges with towels or extra clothing, place hairdryers, coffee-makers, drinking glasses and toiletries out of reach of children, move furniture away from windows, don't allow a child on a balcony without close supervision and cover any electrical outlets. Some hotels carry child-proofing kits, so ask at the front desk.
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Step 2
Know where the fire exits are. A good idea: Count how many doors there are till the closest stairwell, so you can find it in smoky conditions. Also, instruct your kids never to head for the elevator in a fire.
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Step 3
Give your kids instructions. Tell them to never enter an elevator alone—and if they do inadvertently wind up on one without you, teach them to go right to the front desk and wait for you. If your kids are old enough, make sure they know the name of your hotel and your room number.
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Step 4
Never let your kids explore the hotel alone. Besides the obvious dangers that strangers pose, kids can get into plenty of trouble on hotel staples like escalators (fingers and toes can get caught in moving parts, causing crushing injuries), luggage carts (they can topple over) and in pool areas. Supervise your children at all times.
