Checklist: Kid-Smart & Kid-Safe Visits Away from Home
Any parent with young children knows that visits away from their childproofed, kid-friendly home can be stressful – sometimes downright unnerving. New surroundings inspire kids to touch, test and even taste whatever they find. Such curiosity is natural. But for guests and hosts alike, it can make a visit anything but relaxing!
You can avoid much of this stress – and many potential dangers – by doing a little preplanning with your host and taking along a few portable safety items for on-the-spot childproofing. Before you leave home, have a quick conversation with your host about ways to protect both your child and your host’s furnishings from each other. Remember, even seasoned grandparents may have fragile collectibles, dangerous houseplants or dangling drapery cords in child-accessible spots.
Though many safety issues cannot be solved without a full room-by-room overhaul, there are several things your hosts can do to alleviate some obvious hazards. Share this brief childproofing checklist with them and ask if they mind addressing any concerns prior to your arrival:
- Move fragile or breakable items to higher spots in the room.
- Move houseplants to out-of-reach areas. Even if nontoxic, leaves, flowers and berries can pose choking hazards.
- Remove tablecloths or table runners. These can be pulled off the table, taking accessories with them.
- Move the kitchen knife block to a high pantry or cupboard shelf.
- Wind up dangling drapery cords.
- Protect exposed electrical outlets
- Move or camoflauge exposed electrical cords
- Be aware of tippable tall or heavy furniture or electronics like heavy tv’s
- Move any medications, vitamins and hazardous kitchen and bathroom products to out-of reach or locked cabinets.
Upon arrival, take a few minutes to conduct a “safety check” before letting little ones explore this new, exciting world. Using portable devices, you can further childproof kid-safe zones and limit access to the more dangerous areas of your host’s home. Take along these handy portable safety items for temporary childproofing:
- Removable cabinet safety locks
- Electrical outlet caps
- Door handle covers or guards
- A pressure-mounted baby and toddler safety gate
- Finger-pinch door guards
- Drapery cord wind-ups and suction-style window and sliding door stoppers
- Removable toilet lock
Though temporary solutions are not the complete childproofing answer, addressing obvious, easily remedied safety concerns will help make your destination safer for your child and your visit more enjoyable for all.
