by Isabelle Esteves

Created on: November 07, 2011

 Anyone who has had children understands the pitfalls of staying in a hotel with a toddler. Once these delightful children have gone from infancy into the realm of the toddler they become ever so much more mobile. They can and do climb on anything they see. They decide that a bed is a great place to jump and that a dresser is perfect for climbing up on. While it is easy to toddler proof a home, when traveling, a hotel room is an entirely different issue.

Don’t wait even one minute after entering your room to access all the possible dangers it many contain. If you are on an upper floor, immediately check the windows and any doors that there might be in the room. A curious toddler can easily open sliding glass door and be on a balcony in a second. All it takes is a moment for a tragedy to occur. Make sure everything is securely looked including the door to the hall and the safety latch firmly in place.

Take a look at the TV. Is it one of the new flat models that are much less of a threat or is it one of the older heavier models which can cause a dresser or desk to fall over if the drawers are opened and climbed on by an extremely agile and curious toddler?  Test the dresser or desk yourself to make sure it is secure, especially once the drawers have been opened.

If the room has a minibar, be sure it has a lock. If not, call the desk and ask that all the alcohol be removed. You really can do that. Why take any chances. You would hate to wake up in the morning and find that the child has consumed one or more of those little bottles.

Look for anything that might be poison. While soap and shampoo are not too dangerous, cleaning supplies which may be stored in the bathroom or closet are. Take a good look around the room and open doors to see where everything is. Be sure the iron is in a safe place where it can’t be reached.

It is always wise to bring along some outlet covers so that if there are any exposed electrical outlets you can place a safety cover on them. These are inexpensive and can be a real life saver.

If the room has blinds, be sure that the cords are tied securely up high. Many children died every year after being strangled on these cords.

Keep in mind, just how inquisitive a toddler can be and try to imagine all the new things they are seeing when they look at this room. It is impossible to anticipate every eventuality but if you try to think like a toddler, you may notice some dangers that you have never considered before.

Bringing along a playpen for toddlers to sleep in is a good idea. They are less likely to be up roaming around or falling out of bed.

Never, ever leave your child unattended, even for a moment. This can lead to a lifetime of regret. Your toddler is one of your most precious possession, treat them as if they are worth a million dollars, in reality, they are worth so much more than that.

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