Smoking and nursery

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Apologies, I’m not sure where to ask this question… So going with parenting for now.

We are due our 3rd baby soon, and I am planning on using the guest room in our house as the nursery. It has a large bed and means we can sleep there when needed etc and my husband won’t have to give up the box room which he uses as an office. There is room for a cot to be added.

I’m really happy with the solution but have realised one issue. My in-laws smoke… We live in a different country so get different sets of parents visiting every so often usually for about a week. My plan would be to just push the cot into our room when needed.

However, should I worry about third hand smoke. I hate smoking! The cot would be out of the room. They don’t smoke indoors, but even just clothes being in the room etc. I make them shower/wash before touching the kids. But I don’t think she jumps straight in the shower immediately after an early morning cigarette. Will it get in the curtains? Am I overthinking this?

I don’t want to change the entire plan based on a week of the year that they are here. But I think I will end up doing so…

I wouldn’t be letting anyone who smokes stay in my house, especially when small children are there. So they either refrain or get a hotel.

You are hugely overthinking this. Do you make them shower after every cigarette?!

They won't be smoking in the room, just wash the bed clothes and it'll be fine.

I think it’ll be absolutely fine. Presumably the bedding will all be washed after a stay and if they’re not smoking indoors any remaining smoke particles will be so negligible, if any. Air the room well after their stay, for your peace of mind, but stick with the plan that works would be my advice!

I make them wash and change their clothes after every cigarette yes. She normally keeps something that she puts on to smoke, and then just puts back on whatever she was planning on wearing for the day. She understands my concerns and doesn’t have any problem with making sure she is clean around the kids after smoking. But I also don’t want her to be in a constant state of panic and not comfortable when she is chilling in their space whilst staying with us.

But yes, giving another days gap after they leave to clean and air the room before moving the baby back in will probably make me feel better about it.

It’s fine, you’re overthinking it. You already have good precautions in place.

Yes you are overthinking it a bit, even hv will say to smoke outside with a jacket on and just remove the jacket and wash hands before holding baby, my oh smokes, all my family/his family smoke actually except my nan who visits every Wednesday and she has said she never smells smoke in our house/on OH so it must work xx

That is so excessive OP. Especially when they live in another country and you don't see them often.

My lovely FIL smokes. I hate it, I'm asthmatic and it sets me off. But he only ever smokes outside, so when we see them ever few weeks zero restrictions are placed on cuddles. I mean, I walked them down the high street in their buggies every day! They've never smelt of smoke after a day with him, or anything like that.

You can't eliminate every risk. Grandparents who smoke living in another country, and only smoking outdoors when you see them is a pretty good mitigation of the smoking risk.

Thanks everyone. I’ll not be relaxing anything of what we currently do. But it seems maybe I am overthinking the bedroom situation!

Thanks for giving me a HV perspective!