How to Babyproof a Vacation Rental in 15 Minutes (Airbnb & Hotel Safety Tips)

Traveling with babies and toddlers means every new space comes with new safety concerns — especially vacation rentals and Airbnbs that aren’t babyproofed. After navigating blowouts, falls, and a near kitchen disaster, I now have a quick method for babyproofing a vacation rental in under 15 minutes.

Step 1: Pack Your Babyproofing Essentials

This first step actually begins back at home. Before you board a flight or hop in the car, make sure you have packed all your vacation rental child-proofing gear together and in an easily accessible place- I’ll share how to access my free printable list of safety items to pack at the end of this post.

I suggest having anything you want ready to go before the kids rush into the house together. So, I go beyond just the outlet covers etc. and have blackout curtains, sound machines, and so forth packed together.

Step 2: Do a Quick Living Area Scan

Now the trickiest thing about this is keeping the kids out of the way while you do this. They may need to stay in the car or go for a short walk with another adult while you tackle ‘proofing the place.

Whether or not you are able to keep the kids out of the house, I suggest starting in the living area of your airbnb. If there is more than one, pick the most kid-friendly spot to be the kid zone. And you will want to take a photo so you can return everything to it’s original spot when you leave.

Vacation rental safety checks for babies and toddlers starts with a scan of the space. Head in and do a scan for any obvious issues- breakable décor, furniture that could be tipped, climbable furniture, and accessible outlets. Move breakables up high, push furniture up against the walls, and find ways to block anything dangerous. I.E. move a chair in front of a bookshelf to prevent climbing. Turn it backwards if your child (like mine) would see the chair as a booster to then climb up onto the bookshelf! Now do a more detailed look through and check for things like sharp corners and move remotes up high. Don’t forget the danger of batteries!

Now set up a kid friendly zone. Put out some toys in the safest area. If your rental didn’t mention things like toys and books, make sure you pack a few with your baby proofing items. Or grab what you used for entertainment during travel.

Now let’s move on to where the most dangers are typically centralized.

Step 3: Babyproof the Kitchen

Ah, the kitchen. A spot where you envision grabbing a coffee then heading out to your rental’s deck to enjoy the scenery while you sip. But when travelling with a toddler, you may instead spent half your vacation yelling “No, don’t touch that!” so your child doesn’t burn themselves/cut themselves/ingest poison…

Let’s avoid that!

Again, start with a photo then a quick scan. Locate where cleaning supplies and knives are stored, the kind of trash can, and type of stove. Do you need to tape shut a cabinet of chemicals or drawer of danger? Do so. (This website idea came to me while taping shut a drawer of knives in a rental!) If you grab the free printable list at the end of this post, you’ll have tape with your supplies!

What if there is something you can’t address like a gas stove with toddler-height knobs just waiting for your tiny traveler to turn them on and fill the house with flammable gas? (The second thing that happened in one day that inspired this website!)

This is where you may need to get creative. Grab some dining chairs and again turn them backwards to, ideally, block the pathway to the stove or, at minimum, block the actual front of the stove. If you have a bit older kids that can understand rules- or just older children than can help to alert you if a younger one enters the kitchen- set the rule that the kitchen is off limits unless with a grown up.

Step 4: Check the Bathroom

Again, photos and a quick scan. Cleaning supplies? Cute but delicate seashell décor? This room should be a quick re-arrange then set up If you have the time.  I’d set up your toiletries now if the kids are occupied. 

Step 5: Scan Outdoor Areas

You guessed it- start with a photo and a quick scan. Any planters a toddler would be tempted to tip? A deck with accessible stairs? The outdoor areas are more about awareness than proofing. You may be able to move outdoor furniture to again block anything dangerous, but for the most part, the focus here is knowledge. What should you be keeping an eye on when your kids are outside with you?

Step 6: Final Walkthrough

Every vacation rental home is different of course so you may have additional areas to pop into. Is there a garage? Staircase? Loft? A quick walk through with eyes looking for the categories of breakable, climbable, ingestible, and escapable should set you up for success.

In summary here is

A vacation rental safety check-list:

• Scan living area for breakables

• Move cords out of reach

• Push furniture against walls

• Tape cabinets if needed

• Create safe play zone

• Check kitchen hazards

• Check outdoor risks

A brief prep at the beginning of your trip should allow you to actually relax and enjoy the space! Trips feel much more like vacation and less like “just parenting in a new space” when you aren’t constantly on high alert! Babyproofing a vacation rental doesn’t have to be complicated.

A quick walkthrough, moving a few hazards, and creating a safe play area can make traveling with toddlers much easier. Whether you're staying in an Airbnb, beach rental, or hotel suite, a few minutes of preparation goes a long way.

Grab my free printable list of safety and convenience items I always travel with (plus tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way) below!

Want more guidance? Grab the KidReady Kit here. This bundle is everything you need for safe and simple travel experiences with babies through preschoolers.