How to baby-proof your hotel room from hiding curtain pulls to getting rid of sharp edges
FAMILIES going on holiday this year should take precautions if they're staying at a hotel with their little ones.
Babies could be at risk from a number of hazards in the hotel room.
Thankfully the hazards can be easily fixed with some simple supplies such as tape and antibacterial wipes.
We reveal all the things to look out for as soon as you check in - and what you can do to make it as safe as possible for babies and toddlers.
See if the hotel has baby supplies
The first thing to check is if the hotel has childcare kits or supplies.
Some may offer items such as travel chairs, bathtubs, bottle warmers and safety devices that can be used in the room.
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Hide dangling curtain cords
Most hotels will have curtains and blinds that can be adjusted with a cord.
However, if these are left at the height of your kids, they can become choking hazards if your children become tangled up in it.
Make sure to pull them out of your kids' reach.
Clean the remote controls and other loose items
While housekeeping staff should take care of the room cleaning before new guests check in, most hotel rooms have dirty places that are overlooked.
This can include things such as the remote control.
Wipe them with an antibacterial wipe in case these end up being picked up or chewed by young kids.
And make sure you rinse out any hotel cups as they may not be as clean as you'd like.
Close plug sockets with tape or stoppers
While it is often joked that hotel rooms lack plug sockets, the few sockets around could still cause problems.
Plug covers are perfect for preventing kids from putting their fingers in them.
If you're in a country where they don't fit, then using duct tape can also work for this.
Tape cotton balls to sharp table and bed corners
Side tables, desks and beds all have sharp edges that could be hazardous.
Taping cotton balls on each corner can help to make them less dangerous for kids.
Check the furniture cannot be pulled from the wall
Drawers and wardrobes in hotel rooms may not be attached to the walls, which can result in dangerous injuries if they are pulled over.
While you can't secure them yourself, you could block your kids from grabbing them.
Put suitcases or cushions in front of them so they can't be accessed by crawling kids.
Crawl on the floor for any rubbish or small objects
One of the best ways to check if anything dangerous is lying around? Get on your hands and knees like a baby.
This way you can check for any loose items or sharp objects that could be within arms reach on the floor and underneath the bed.
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A dad-of-seven revealed how he baby proofed his home for all of his children after have quintuplets.
This included making a table with built in high-chairs as well as concerting a van to make room for the kids.
One young mum said she wouldn't baby proof her home because kids "learn from their mistakes".