Make your kitchen safe for kids
The kitchen has long been the most wellused room in the home—it’s the place to sip coffee first thing in the morning, share a meal with family, do homework, or just hang out. But it’s also the room where danger lurks, especially for young children who are naturally curious and fearless about exploring the home. Here are some ways to keep your little ones safe in the kitchen:
1. Don’t leave kids alone if the oven or burner is on.
Tiny hands can touch a hot oven door or stovetop and get burned if no one is there to stop them. While you’re cooking, put your child in a high chair with something to entertain them like crayons and paper. Move pot handles toward the back wall. Get in the habit of using the back burners to do your cooking so the front burners can stay cool.
2. Secure kitchen cabinet and drawers with safety devices.
Putting plastic latches or locks on cabinets and drawers can help keep sharp knives, pizza cutters, heavy pots, and everything else in a kitchen not accessible to little ones. Make sure older kids and adults know how to open and close the locks—if they’re left open and dangling, they’re offering zero protection. Other important safety devices are outlet socket covers to help prevent electrocution.
3. Relocate household cleaners and knives.
An under-the-sink cabinet is a favorite spot to store cleaning products; unfortunately, it’s also a dangerous place since it may be low enough for a toddler to access. Find a high shelf to put those items on instead. If you keep a knife block on a countertop, move it to a place that’s out of reach for youngsters.
4. Prevent falls.
If you’ve got tile or linoleum in your kitchen, it can cause a fast-moving to child slip and fall, install non-slip rugs over the flooring to make the environment a safer one.
5. Turn your water heater down
Setting the heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit will help prevent hands and face from getting burned by scalding water from the faucet if a youngster turns it on.