Holiday homes aren't childproofed like your own. Here's how to spot the risks — and what our Family Safety Score actually measures.
The single biggest difference between your home and a holiday rental is that your home is childproofed and the rental almost certainly isn't. Unfamiliar staircases, pools, balconies and kitchens are where most holiday accidents with young children happen. The good news: a little awareness goes a long way.
The high-risk areas
- Water: private pools, hot tubs, ponds and nearby open water are the top concern for under-fives.
- Heights: open staircases, balconies, mezzanines and low window sills.
- Kitchens: ovens, hobs and accessible cleaning products.
- Outdoors: unfenced gardens that open onto roads or water.
What the Family Safety Score measures
Our Family Safety Score is a 0–100 rating assigned by our team, not by the host. It weighs the genuine child safety factors of a property — things like pool fencing, stair gates, enclosed gardens and safe sleeping provision — rather than marketing language.
Crucially, it's verified before a listing goes live, and it's kept separate from opinion-based reviews so that a glowing review can never inflate a property's safety rating.
Pack a basic safety kit
- A few portable plug socket covers.
- A travel stair gate if you're travelling with a baby.
- A first-aid kit and any regular medication.
- The address and number of the nearest A&E saved on your phone.
No score replaces a parent's own eyes on arrival. Do a two-minute safety sweep when you get there — and if something isn't right, tell your host straight away.
Find a stay you can trust
Browse family-friendly homes with verified Family Safety Scores.