Check balconies, windows and doors first
Before unpacking, test balcony and terrace doors, window openings and any secondary locks. Move climbable furniture away from railings or open windows where possible. If a balcony feels unsafe, keep it locked and ask the hotel for another room if the risk cannot be managed.
Entrance doors can also be easy for a curious child to open. Use available security latches when inside, while making sure adults still understand the emergency exit route.
Look at the room from a child’s height
Kettles, coffee makers, glassware, cords, sharp corners and minibar contents can all be within reach. Medicines, toiletries and cleaning products should be stored high or in a locked bag. Do not rely on a child-resistant cap as the only protection in an unfamiliar room.
Check where the cot or child’s bed sits in relation to curtains, blind cords, lamps and furniture. A location that looks convenient for adults may create a climbing or entanglement risk.
Pools need the same supervision as anywhere else
A hotel pool being shallow, fenced or staffed does not replace active supervision. Gates can be left open and lifeguards, where present, may be responsible for a large area. Establish clearly which adult is watching a young child around the water.
Private plunge pools and swim-up rooms require even more thought because water may be directly outside the accommodation. For some families, that layout is a disadvantage rather than a luxury.
Make nights and emergencies easy to navigate
Leave a low light or know where the switch is for nighttime bathroom trips. Keep the floor route clear of suitcases and shoes. Adults should know the hotel’s emergency-exit route rather than assuming they will work it out after an alarm.
If a room has a serious safety problem—an insecure balcony door, exposed wiring or damaged cot—report it and request a remedy or another room. The temporary nature of a hotel stay is not a reason to accept a hazard that would be unacceptable at home.
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