Chris Hornaday
Hotels
- Sprinklers on every floor. Beware: Some older hotels may only have them in the restaurants, but they’re crucial for protecting you in case of fire. If sprinklers are not on every floor, find another place to stay.
- Childproofing. Some chains like Loews will childproof a room for you prior to arrival if you give them a heads-up. If your hotel doesn’t offer this service, bring your own supplies (plug covers, cabinet latches, etc.) and do a childproofing run-through before you let your kids in the room.
- Windows guards. If a hotel doesn’t have them installed, they should at least have windows that lock.
Vacation homes
- A carbon monoxide detector. Although this colorless, odorless gas is more of a problem in the winter, it can be an issue if there’s a fuel-burning appliance (like a gas stove) around. If a cottage or house you’re renting doesn’t have a detector, bring along a plug-in unit.
- Water heater. It’s often set at 140 to 150 degrees, a temperature that can give a child third-degree burns in two seconds. Play it safe and request that the heater be set at 120 degrees.
- A fence around the pool. You want one that’s at least 4 feet high with a gate that locks to prevent kids from accessing the pool when there’s no adult supervision.
