Toddler Danger Zones

Away from Home

Visiting friends and family or staying in a hotel room poses new challenges for the parents of any active and curious 1-year-old. Here's how to ensure your child's safety without turning your hosts' home upside down.

• Scan the room as soon as you arrive, and immediately move breakables out of your toddler's reach.
• If you're staying for a while or going to a hotel room, bring your own outlet cap plugs, cabinet locks or latches, and tub mats.
• Travel with a portable crib so you have a place to put your toddler for a few minutes if you need to leave the room.
• Move tempting items, like small toiletries and drinking glasses, out of kids' reach.
• Beware of bathroom doors that lock at the push of a button. Hang a towel over the door so your child can't lock herself in.

Copyright© 2002 Winifred Yu. Reprinted with permission from the March 2002 issue of Parents Magazine. Reviewed 2008.

4/02