Before
you leave for the long awaited vacation you've been dreaming about, be
prepared for childproofing your hotel room. Just because you're going on
a vacation doesn't mean that your responsibilities are on a vacation
too!
Just
use your common sense when planning to childproof your hotel room. Think
of the room as a smaller version of your home, taking the same
precautions. But before you leave, call your hotel to see if
childproofing equipment is available at your hotel. If not, be equipped
with all the essentials to do it yourself.
When
you arrive at the hotel, give the room a good inspection. Take notice
of all the potential dangers for a child. You may want to even get down
on your hands and knees and view the room from your child's point of
view. Look carefully at the floor; are there any staples or tacks
lingering around?
Once
you have inspected the room take some time to make your adjustments.
The Basics
Move furniture
away from the windows
Furniture needs to
be stable and sturdy to avoid tipping over
Knobs should be
tight so your children will not remove them (and put them in their
mouths)
Make sure that
doors and windows are securely locked
Tie up any loose
cords to prevent possible strangulation
Unused outlets
should be properly covered
Tables with sharp
edges should either be removed or edges should be covered, washrags
are a perfect solution
Remove any table
cloths
The Crib
Make sure that it
is up to standards with the Consumer Product Safety Commission:
slats should not be more than 23/8 inches apart
Remove any pillows
or blankets that may cause suffocation
If your hotel is
not up to standards, pack along your own portable crib
The Bathroom
Never leave your
child alone in the bathroom
When giving your
child a bath, the water should not reach more than 120 degrees F,
try to keep it between 96-100 degrees, so pack a thermometer.
Unplug any
electrical appliances, i.e. hairdryer, and store them in a locked
drawer
Make sure there
are decals or a non-slip mat on the bathtub floor
Check to see if
the bathroom mat has a stable backing to prevent slips
Any hazardous
products should be put away: mouthwash, shampoo, cosmetics
Take
extra precautions when you are traveling as your family is in a new,
unfamiliar environment and may need more supervision than normal.
Source
Google maps