August 17, 2007
 Securing the Scene
Little Red Riding Hood isn't the only kid ever to encounter danger when going to Granny's. Imagine cleaning fluids and vitamins in low, easily-accessible cabinets. Stairs primed for tots to tumble down just like Jack and Jill on the hill.
Parents need to be prepared to baby proof when they take the family on the road, whether the destination is Grandma's condo or a chic hotel. The team behind Baby Proofers Plus offers these tips for keeping kids safe at your home away from home:
Supplies: Pack a travel safety care package. Stock it with items such as electrical outlet plugs, finger guards or door slammers and at least one portable pressure safety gate.
Tucked away: Keep electrical cords and drapery/blind cords, knickknacks, hard candies, nuts, houseplants, personal care plug-in appliances (razors, hairdryers) out of reach. Cosmetics, vitamins, room deodorizers, medicine and aspirin should go in a locked closet. In the bedroom, move climbable furniture away from the windows.
Falling furniture: Keep children away from any furniture that could easily topple over, like standing floor lamps, large televisions or bookcases.
New temptations: Be aware of hazards that may be new to your children: swimming pools, ponds, driveways, fences, decks, pets, fireplaces. Supervise accordingly. Make sure any open windows don't open more than four inches.
Safe dreams: Call the hotel ahead of time to make sure they have cribs that meet CPSC and ASTM safety standards. Many hotels and motels have unsafe cribs. If so, you'll want to bring along a portable one.
After all this work, you'll realize there's no place like home.
For more information, visit babyproofersplus.com.
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