Toddler-proofing a hotel room takes about ten minutes when you arrive. Before you unpack, walk through the room at your child's height. Check the windows and balcony, sharp corners, the minibar, the kettle, the bathroom floor and every door lock.
Hotel rooms are built for adults, so small hazards are everywhere. The steps below follow the order most parents find easiest. Keep your toddler in a pram, a cot or with another adult while you check.
Step 1: Windows and balconies
Start here, because falls from height are the most serious risk. Many Singapore hotels are in tall towers, and some rooms have balconies.
- Check that windows only open a small amount, or not at all.
- Test the balcony door lock. Use the highest latch if there is one.
- Move chairs, tables and luggage away from windows and railings. Children climb.
- Tie curtain and blind cords up out of reach.
If a window opens wide or a balcony door will not lock, ask for a different room. Hotels can often move you to a room without a balcony.
Step 2: Furniture, corners and cables
Hotel furniture often has hard edges at toddler head height. Glass coffee tables and desk corners are the usual problems.
- Cover sharp corners with corner guards from home, or fold a towel over them.
- Push lamps and other heavy items to the back of tables.
- Tuck phone chargers and lamp cables behind furniture.
- Check that the TV is fixed to the wall or a stand.
- Put the iron, hairdryer and laundry bags away in a high cupboard.
Singapore uses three-pin plugs. These sockets have built-in shutters and usually a switch. Still, switch off any socket you are not using.
Step 3: Minibar, kettle and safe
A minibar is full of glass bottles and small snacks that can be a choking risk. Some minibars also charge you as soon as an item is moved.
Ask the front desk to empty or lock the minibar. You then get the fridge for milk and fruit, too.
The kettle is the next risk. Move it to a high shelf, with the cord out of reach. Let boiled water cool well away from the edge of the table. Close the room safe and any drawer with sharp items, such as a bottle opener.
Step 4: Bathroom floors and water
Bathrooms are slippery, and many hotel bathrooms have stone or tile floors. Wet floors are common after bath time.
- Ask housekeeping for an extra bath mat, or a non-slip mat for the tub.
- Run the hot tap and test the temperature before every bath.
- Put toiletries, razors and medicines on a high shelf.
- Close the toilet lid and keep the bathroom door shut.
- Never leave a child alone in the bath, even for a moment.
Some hotels can lend a baby bath or a step stool. Ask when you book.
Step 5: Door latches and locks
Toddlers learn fast. Lever handles are easy for them to open, and that includes the main room door.
- Use the security latch on the main door whenever you are inside.
- Check whether the bathroom door locks from inside. If it does, cover the lock with tape so your child cannot lock themselves in.
- Keep any connecting door locked unless you are using both rooms.
- Find the fire exit route from your room.
Booking two rooms? Our guide to connecting rooms vs a family suite explains which layout is easier with small children.
Sleep and a room that is easier to make safe
Ask for a baby cot when you book, and check it when it arrives. The mattress should fit snugly with no gaps at the sides. If your child sleeps in a big bed, push it against the wall and ask whether the hotel has a bed rail.
Some rooms need less work than others. When you book, ask for a room without a balcony. Serviced apartments give you more floor space and a separate kitchen, so hot and sharp things stay in one place. Ascott Orchard Singapore and Fraser Suites Singapore are two to compare. Our checklist of what makes a hotel family-friendly covers the rest. The pool needs the same care, so see our guide to kid-friendly hotel pools in Singapore.
FAQs about toddler-proofing a hotel room
Do Singapore hotels provide baby cots?
Most larger hotels do, but they have a limited number. Request one when you book and ask for written confirmation.
Can I ask a hotel to empty the minibar?
Yes. Many hotels will empty or lock it if you ask at check-in. You can then use the fridge for your own food.
What should I pack to childproof a hotel room?
Corner guards, tape, a night light, cable ties and a door stopper. They all fit in a small bag.
What number do I call in an emergency in Singapore?
Call 995 for an ambulance or the fire service, and 999 for the police. The front desk can also help.
