How to Quickly Babyproof a Hotel Room

Children need to stay safe, no matter where they are. Even hotel rooms can be easily "babyproofed" to make a holiday more comfortable and relaxing for the whole family.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bed Rails - Children
• Masking Tape
• Twist Ties
• Masking Tape
• Corner Guards
• Outlet Covers

1. Let the hotel know you are traveling with a baby or toddler, and ask if they can make any arrangements to babyproof the room in advance ' some hotels offer this service.

2. Pack safety items you may need, such as simple press-on outlet covers, twist ties to secure blind cords, or removable edge/corner guards for tables and low shelves.

3. Look under the bed. This is a great place for pens, paper clips, coins, and other choking or injury hazards to hide.

4. Check closets and drawers, and remove dangerous objects like pens, lighters, and matches.

5. Close the bathroom door. A baby or toddler can drown in just a couple of inches of water.

6. Secure loose cords and wires. A crawling baby can easily bring down a heavy lamp, so push electrical appliances away from table edges, and tuck wires out of reach.

7. Tie blind cords and curtain pulls up out of reach.

8. Crawl around the room. Spending a few minutes on your hands and knees will help you to identify possible hazards from your child's level.

9. Supervise your child. There's no substitute for adult attention and supervision.

Tips & Warnings

• With adhesive tape and twist ties, you can temporarily babyproof just about anything.
• If your child will be sleeping in a big bed, bring a portable guardrail, or pull a couple of high-backed chairs next to the bed so that he can't fall out.
• Toddlers often lock themselves in bathrooms. Tape over the lock, or just keep the door closed and supervise at all times.
• Close and lock all windows (even those with screens), especially those near a desk or table your child could climb onto.
• Check the hot water temperature; it may be much hotter than your home tap water.

[mamawriter]

on 7/20/2009 Packing safety items is a must! Many parents forget to baby proof hotel rooms. I also recommend making a barricade around the TV as it is always located in a place where the baby can pull it down on themselves.

on 11/22/2005 If you want to keep a door open, throw a towel over the top of it. Kids going to the toilet themselves can get locked in the bathroom or they can accidentally lock YOU in the bathroom!