Traveling with little ones is an adventure and keeping them safe in a new place can be challenging. Think about how much time you've spent making sure your home is "baby proof" - you're not going to get that when you're away from home. So whether you're staying in a hotel, apartment or airbnb - here's some tips on how to make your accommodation as safe as possible for the little ones - without having to bring a lot of stuff! There are a lot of ideas here and of course you aren't going to want to do them all but just doing some will give you that peace of mind that you have some of the things covered if you take your eye off them for a second!
Rearrange the room
When we arrived in our apartment in Austria the first thing I saw was a huge glass (sharp edged) coffee table blocking most of the centre of the room. Before I'd even put my bag down I was dragging it out of the way to put the little one down. Rearranging the furniture can be one of the easiest ways to baby proof a place - whether it is to move something out of the way or to block off an area you want to be out of bounds it can be super helpful! Also make sure you move breakable or small items onto high shelves and make sure nothing climbable is near windows or countertops. Just make sure you return everything before you leave!
Bring Outlet Covers
Note that in the UK these are not recommended, however, these might be good in other countries.
Secure Loose Items
Make sure to secure any loose cords, curtains, or blinds that could pose a strangulation risk. Keep cords high and out of reach by wrapping them up or tucking them out of sight. If windows can open wide, make sure your child can’t access them by moving furniture away.
Cover sharp corners
If you can't move certain things out of the way then bring along some corner guards to cushion sharp edges on tables and furniture.
Use Door Stoppers and Portable Door Alarms
To prevent little ones from accidentally locking themselves in, use door stoppers or wedges on bathroom and bedroom doors. Then door alarms are super handy if your little on is a wanderer. We stayed somewhere that the door didn't lock from the inside and I was just so anxious about the kids getting out. We barricaded the door with furniture but this wasn't practical for leaving. If you don't want an alarm you can also key universal locks for doors.
Don't forget the everyday items
You don’t need fancy gadgets for everything. and more often than not with a bit of imagination you can baby proof with other things at your disposal.
- Pillows and cushions: These are great for covering sharp table edges or creating a buffer zone near a hard floor.
- Towels and washcloths: Just roll these and wedge them under doors to prevent little fingers from getting pinched.
- Shoes or bags: These can temporarily hold open or wedge doors that slam shut easily.
- Rubberbands or hair bobbles: These can be great for keeping kitchen cupboards shut.
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