Childproofing on VacationMost parents take the time to make their homes child-friendly by installing safety devices that limit children's access to dangerous chemicals, electrical devices and anything else that can cause injury or illness to a baby or toddler. But safety can be much harder to guarantee on vacation, when parents and kids are staying away from home. How can you make your vacation rental, timeshare or hotel room a safer place for your children?
Sheila Ellison is the co-author of 365 ways to Raise Great Kids, a book of fun and creative activities for the whole family. Here she offers a quick guide for parents wishing to safeguard their kids while staying in hotels and vacation homes:
- Poisons and cabinets. As soon as you arrive, you should go through the home and locate all the cleaning products and other potentially poisonous substances. Put these where your children cannot reach them, or install child safety locks on the doors to any cabinets containing such items. In a pinch, strong rubber bands can help secure cabinet doors.
- Cords. Scan the kitchen for appliances with dangling cords that children might reach and pull. Move them to the back of the counters and tape them out of reach.
- Windows. Be sure to move beds and other furniture away from windows to reduce the risk of falls.
- Tablecloths. Remove tablecloths so that children cannot pull on them and possibly drag heavy or hot items onto themselves.
- Glass and sharp corners. If you find low tables made of breakable glass or with sharp corners, move them into a closet or attach corner guards.
- Plants. Some houseplants can be toxic or have sharp spines, so move all plants out of the reach of children.
If you follow these guidelines, you should be able to relax and enjoy your vacation and spend less time worrying that your kids will hurt themselves during yours stay.
For more information on child safety on vacation and in general, check out the following organizations and websites:
Children's Safety Network
www.childrenssafetynetwork.org
Airsafe.com—Child safety in the Air
www.airsafe.com/kidsafe.htm | 
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