Today’s busy families spend an inordinate amount of time in the kitchen. The modern kitchen is the central hub where people gather to talk, read, prepare and eat meals, open mail, use the computer, do homework or just relax after a long day. This is especially true if you’re a foodie dad or mom and you love to cook. As a result, more and more children are spending time in the kitchen as well—something that was almost unheard of a generation ago.
The great thing about kitchen-centric homes is that they allow families to spend more time together. The problem is that kitchens are inherently dangerous places, especially for children. Sharp knives, breakable glassware, hot stoves, chemical cleansers and hard, slippery surfaces are just some of the hazards children face in the kitchen.
Fortunately, with a minimum investment of time and money, you can create a much safer environment for your children. Listed below are 20 ways to improve kitchen safety. However, keep in mind that the very best way to protect a child in the kitchen—or anywhere else—is with diligent adult supervision.
Here are 20 steps for a kid-safe kitchen:
Caption: Keep kids from opening major appliances with peel-and-stick door locks.
9. Store all cleansers, pesticides, and detergents in an upper cabinet or high shelf well out of the reach of children. If you must store these materials in a base cabinet, secure the cabinet door with a childproof lock.
10. Insert safety covers into all kitchen electrical outlets, especially those on an island or peninsula.
11. Secure kitchen base cabinets with either adjustable slide locks or safety latches. Slide locks are more secure, but safety latches are easier to operate.
Caption: Easy-to-install and affordable slide locks clasp onto cabinet door knobs or handles.
Caption: To disengage a safety latch, open the cabinet door and press down on the locking tab.
13. If possible, store the kitchen trashcan behind a locked cabinet door. Otherwise, secure the can’s lid with a childproof safety strap.
14. Plastic bags pose a suffocation hazard to small children. Place all plastic bags out of reach in an upper wall cabinet or on a high shelf.
15. If any kitchen window is covered with blinds or shades, keep the pull cord tied up and out of the way to avoid entangling a child.
16. Move pet bowls out of the kitchen to prevent a child from eating and possibly choking on hard, dried food.
17. Keep all alcohol away from children, including common kitchen ingredients such as cooking wines, certain vinegars and lemon, almond, and vanilla extracts.
18. Small magnets pose a choking hazard for children. Remove them from the refrigerator door.
19. If you have an eat-in kitchen, don’t use tablecloths. Kids love to tug on them, which could result in a serious injury from falling utensils or spilled hot food.
20. Remove or secure all kitchen stools to prevent a toddler from either pulling one down onto himself or climbing up and then falling to the floor.
In conclusion, it’s important to remember that children are constantly learning and growing, and your kitchen safeguards must change along with them to maintain the same level of security. If you one day you find that your child has breached your security measures, then it’s time to upgrade to a new, more-age-appropriate safety device to protect your child.
Home improvement expert Joe Truini has worked for many years as a construction carpenter. As a result, Joe has amassed a large amount of information on safety tips for the kitchen, including aspects of safety related to kitchen cabinets. Joe writes for The Home Depot, where you can find many ideas for kitchen cabinets here.