The kitchen is full of hazards for children, but keeping them out of the room is unrealistic in most households. If you have an infant or young child you have to keep an eye on them at all times, but you can’t starve yourself in the process. Older children need to be in the kitchen, learning to prepare food for themselves. Children who learn kitchen safety as they grow are less likely to get hurt than those who are banned from the room.
Containing Infants and Toddlers
A small child underfoot in the kitchen is a recipe for disaster. They can easily cause you to trip and spill hot food, and even get hurt or knocked unconscious yourself. Use a highchair or playpen to keep babies and very young children contained and where you can keep an eye on them while you cook or do dishes.
Kitchen Safety Basics
- Clean up spills right away. Spills can cause falls, fires, and food poisoning. Be sure to use a non-toxic cleaner such as vinegar or baking soda.
- Keep pot handles turned in on the stove, and on counters when they contain hot foods. This will keep you and your child from accidentally knocking them down, and prevent children from grabbing handles.
- Be mindful of splattering food. Kids are at that height where it can easily hit them in the face and even burn their eyes.
- Watch out for steam. Make sure kids stand back you lift the lid, and point it away from them and yourself.
- Be prepared for burns. Kids will inevitably touch a hot pan or glowing stove element, accidentally or out of curiosity. Don’t panic and cause a bigger accident. Always have burn ointment or raw honey in the kitchen so you can take care of minor burns quickly without leaving the stove or oven unattended.
