Child Safety in the Kitchen

We always have many requirements for the kitchen space: practicality, functionality, and perhaps most importantly – safety. However, the issue of safety is especially relevant when there is a small child in the house, whose actions are driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge.

How can we make the kitchen safe for a child? Undoubtedly, it is easiest to do this at the stage of arranging the kitchen space. For example, it is undesirable to cover the floor with slippery materials, and when choosing furniture, it is better to prefer a set with rounded corners. When ordering built-in appliances, ensure that there is a gas control function on the cooktop and a child safety mode on the oven, or design its location at a higher level, out of reach of the child.

But what to do when the renovation is already done, and there are neither funds nor time to change the kitchen setup? Even in a seemingly unsafe room not intended for children's play, the risk of injury can be minimized.

Let’s consider the potential hazards that may await a little explorer in the kitchen and simple ways to address them.

1. Sharp corners. Tables, chairs or stools, countertops, open shelves – everything within reach of a curious toddler can be made safer with special soft "corner protectors" and pads.
2. Electricity. Try to hide all electrical appliances in places inaccessible to the child and remember to put them away from open surfaces immediately after use. As for outlets, safety caps can help prevent unauthorized access by the young "electrician".
3. Stove. If you have an electric stove, protective caps on the temperature control knobs will prevent the child from turning it on. If the stove is gas, you will need a special protective panel (grate) that will prevent the child from reaching the hot burners and the pots on them. It is advisable to hang a small lock on the oven door, which the child will not be able to open even with great desire.
4. Dangerous items. Sharp, pointed, cutting, and breakable items, household chemicals, vinegar, and other spices pose a significant danger to the child. Therefore, it is better to keep them out of reach, and for added safety, install protective plastic locks on drawers and cabinet doors.
5. Possible injuries. A rubber-backed mat can help prevent your little one from slipping on a wet or simply too smooth floor. To prevent the child from pinching their fingers, install a special door stopper. And if you want to protect your child from accidental falls, do not provoke them to climb by hiding treats on the top shelf of the cabinet.