Child Proofing Holiday Rentals: Complete Checklist
12 September 2026
Table of Contents
- Why Child Proofing Holiday Rentals Needs Its Own Checklist
- The Room-by-Room Child Proofing Holiday Rentals Checklist
- Child Safety Equipment for Holiday Homes: What to Pack and What to Expect
- Essential First Aid Kit for Family Hiking Around Bolberry and the South Hams
- Best Practices for Family-Friendly Holiday Rentals: What Owners Should Provide
- UK Safety Regulations and Standards Every Parent Should Know
- Where to Find Child-Proofing Supplies
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: September 12, 2026
Why Child Proofing Holiday Rentals Needs Its Own Checklist
A checklist for child proofing holiday rentals matters because you are arriving somewhere you have never lived, with hazards you have never seen, and no time to learn the layout before a toddler does. At Spring Barn at Bolberry Court, we host families across three generations, and the questions we get before arrival are almost always about safety. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents notes that falls, burns and poisoning remain leading causes of childhood injury in the home, and a rental property is simply an unfamiliar home.
That unfamiliarity is the whole problem. At home, you child-proof once and forget about it. In a holiday let, you get one afternoon to spot the gaps. This guide gives you a room-by-room checklist for child proofing holiday rentals, tells you what to pack, and explains what owners in Bolberry, Nr Salcombe, South Devon, TQ7 3DY should be providing before you arrive.
The Room-by-Room Child Proofing Holiday Rentals Checklist
Work through each room in order, starting with wherever your child will sleep. The table below summarises the whole sweep, then each area gets its own detail.
| Area | Main Hazards | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Hob knobs, cleaning products, sharp drawers | Move chemicals up high, fit a hob guard |
| Living areas | Open fires, trailing cables, glass tables | Clear the floor zone, block the hearth |
| Bedrooms | Windows, blind cords, unstable furniture | Anchor furniture, tie cords out of reach |
| Stairs | Open gaps, hard flooring at the base | Fit a gate top and bottom |
| Bathrooms | Hot taps, slippery floors, medicines | Lock the cabinet, use a non-slip mat |
| Gardens | Ponds, gates, tools, steps | Check gate latches, store tools away |
Kitchen and Living Areas
The kitchen is where most avoidable injuries happen. Move all cleaning products, dishwasher tablets and alcohol to a high cupboard the moment you arrive, because rental kitchens are rarely organised with children in mind. Fit a hob guard if the property provides one, and turn pan handles inward every single time you cook.
In the living area, the biggest risks are the ones that look charming: open fires, log burners and low glass tables. A log burner stays hot for a long time after the flames die, so a fixed fireguard is essential. In our experience, the fix that parents forget is the simplest one: clear a floor zone, move the coffee table, and unplug trailing lamp cables.
Bedrooms, Stairs and Windows
Bedroom safety comes down to three things: windows, cords and furniture. Window restrictors should already be fitted in any property that welcomes young children, and if they are not, ask before you book. Blind cords are a known strangulation risk, so tie them high or use a cord tidy.
Stairs need a gate at the top and, ideally, one at the bottom. Check that the gate actually fits the staircase before relying on it, because rental staircases vary enormously in width. Push on freestanding wardrobes and chests of drawers; if they wobble, keep your child away from that room.
Bathrooms and Gardens
Bathrooms are small rooms with several hazards packed together. Run the cold tap first, always test the water temperature with your wrist, and put a non-slip mat down before bath time. Medicines and razors belong in a locked cabinet or on the highest shelf you can reach.
Gardens need a lap before you let anyone outside. Check gate latches, look for ponds or water features, and scan for tools, garden chemicals and unstable steps. A fully enclosed garden is worth prioritising when you book, and it is one of the reasons families choose Spring Barn, where the garden is enclosed and the coast path is a short walk away.
Child Safety Equipment for Holiday Homes: What to Pack and What to Expect
Pack the items you cannot rely on a rental to supply, and ask the owner about the rest before you travel. The honest truth is that provision varies hugely between properties, so a short email ahead of arrival saves a lot of improvisation.
Bring these in your case:
- Plug socket covers for every socket in the rooms your child uses
- A travel cot sheet set, since sizes vary between cots
- Cabinet and drawer locks that need no drilling
- A folding stair gate if the property cannot confirm one
- Corner guards for sharp table edges
- A small bottle of child-safe surface cleaner
Ask the owner in advance about cots, high chairs, stair gates, fireguards and window restrictors. A well-run property will answer these questions quickly, and a vague answer tells you something useful.
Essential First Aid Kit for Family Hiking Around Bolberry and the South Hams
An essential first aid kit for family hiking should cover cuts, stings, blisters and falls, because coastal paths deliver all four. The South West Coast Path around Bolberry is beautiful and uneven, with steep sections and loose stones underfoot.
A practical kit for a family walk includes:
- Plasters in several sizes, plus blister plasters
- Antiseptic wipes and a small saline pod for eye rinses
- Tweezers for ticks and splinters
- Crepe bandage and a triangular bandage
- Children's paracetamol, checked against your child's age and weight
- Sun cream and a hat, even on cloudy coastal days
- A charged phone and the number for NHS 111
For anything serious, call 999. Minor injuries units in the South Hams can handle cuts and sprains, but check opening hours before you set out, as rural services are not always open in the evening.
Best Practices for Family-Friendly Holiday Rentals: What Owners Should Provide
The best family-friendly holiday rentals treat child safety as a baseline, not an upgrade. Owners who get this right tend to do the same things consistently, and it shows in their reviews.
What to look for, and what good practice looks like:
- Stair gates fitted at the top and bottom of every staircase
- Window restrictors on all upstairs windows
- A fixed fireguard around any log burner or open fire
- Cots and high chairs that meet current safety standards
- A fully enclosed garden with latchable gates
- Clear information on local hospitals and minor injuries units in the welcome pack
At Spring Barn at Bolberry Court, we accommodate up to 10 guests, which suits multi-generational groups who need space rather than a cramped layout. Underfloor heating and a log burner keep the barn comfortable in any season, and the enclosed garden means children can play outside while you keep an eye on them from the kitchen.
UK Safety Regulations and Standards Every Parent Should Know
UK law sets the safety baseline for the equipment your child uses, and knowing the standards helps you spot gear that should not be there. Furniture, cots and stair gates sold in the UK must meet British Standards, and reputable rental owners will be able to tell you what they provide.
Two things are worth checking before you book. First, ask whether cots and high chairs meet current British Standards, since older second-hand equipment may not. Second, check that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are fitted and working, as these are legal requirements in holiday lets. The UK government guidance on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms sets out what landlords must provide.
If you are unsure whether a property meets the standard, ask directly. A good owner will not be offended. A poor one will avoid the question.
Where to Find Child-Proofing Supplies
Child-proofing supplies are widely available across the UK, and you can buy most of what you need before you travel. Supermarkets, large pharmacies and online retailers all stock socket covers, cabinet locks, corner guards and stair gates.
If you would rather travel light, buy on arrival. Salcombe and the surrounding towns have pharmacies and hardware shops, and larger supermarkets in Kingsbridge and Totnes carry a reasonable range. For specialist items such as window restrictors or travel cot sheets in unusual sizes, order online before you leave home.
Conclusion
Child proofing a holiday rental is a 30-minute job when you know what to look for, and a stressful one when you do not. Use the room-by-room sweep, pack the small items you cannot count on, and ask the owner the right questions before you book.
If you want a property where much of this work is already done, Spring Barn at Bolberry Court offers an enclosed garden, space for up to 10 guests, underfloor heating and a log burner for cooler months, and an EV charger for the drive down. Book directly with us and arrive knowing the essentials are in place.
NHS advice on preventing accidents to children
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the essential safety features for a child-friendly holiday cottage?
Look for a fully enclosed garden with secure fencing, stair gates fitted at the top and bottom of stairs, window restrictors on upper floors, and socket covers in reachable areas. A well-equipped kitchen with safe storage for cleaning products matters too. Ask the owner directly what is fitted before you book. At Spring Barn at Bolberry Court, the enclosed garden and family-focused setup give parents one less thing to worry about.
How do I ensure a holiday rental is safe for a crawling baby?
Get down to your baby's level and crawl through each room. Check for trailing cables, sharp furniture corners, unsecured rugs, and low cupboards holding cleaning products. Look behind furniture for exposed sockets and confirm stairs have a gate. A quick fifteen-minute crawl-through on arrival catches most hazards that a standing adult would miss entirely. Pack socket covers and corner guards in case the property lacks them.
What should I look for in a family-friendly holiday rental in Devon?
Prioritise enclosed outdoor space, safe stair access, and a location away from busy roads. In coastal spots like Bolberry, check whether garden gates latch properly and whether the property sits near cliff paths. Spring Barn at Bolberry Court combines a fully enclosed garden with easy access to the South West Coast Path, so children can play outside while parents relax knowing the boundary is secure.
Are there specific UK safety standards for holiday accommodation?
Yes. Holiday lets must meet gas safety requirements with an annual Gas Safe Register check, electrical safety standards under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, and fire safety rules covering smoke alarms and escape routes. Furniture and furnishings must comply with fire resistance rules. Ask your host for current certificates if you want reassurance, particularly for gas appliances and electrical installations.
How can I prepare a holiday rental for a toddler?
Arrive with a small kit: socket covers, corner guards, a travel stair gate if the property lacks one, and cupboard locks for the kitchen. Do a quick sweep of each room before unpacking, moving breakables and medicines out of reach. Check window latches and balcony or garden gates. It takes twenty minutes and prevents most accidents. Confirm with the owner in advance what equipment is already provided so you do not double up.
What should go in an essential first aid kit for family hiking?
Pack plasters, antiseptic wipes, blister plasters, tweezers, children's paracetamol, antihistamine cream for insect bites, and a foil blanket. Add sun cream, a whistle, and a charged phone. Coastal walks around Bolberry Down can be windy and uneven, so sturdy footwear and a small torch help too. Keep the kit in your daypack rather than the car, and check expiry dates before every trip.