It’s no surprise that your kitchen is one of the most dangerous places in your house, especially once they are able to get around by crawling and/or walking! The phrase “you need to have eyes in the back of your head” really is the case when your little ones are exploring and showing interest in just about everything they can get their hands on!
More than a third of child injuries and deaths occur at home - Young children are at a higher risk of being injured in their homes because that is where they spend the majority of their time.
Sometimes you can't avoid being in the kitchen with your little ones, so baby-proofing is an absolute must! In this post, I’m going to share 10 tips to baby-proof your kitchen!
Things You Must Keep Your Baby Away From in the Kitchen
- Scissors, knives, forks and other sharp objects
- Cleaning products
- Wash pods/washing powder and softeners etc
- Hot food and liquids
- Lighters/matches
- Appliances - washing machines, dishwashers, toasters, fridge and freezer doors
- Medicine
- Wires and plugs
- Plastic bags
- Glass, ceramics and any other breakables
Below are 10 tips to help you baby-proof your kitchen to ensure your little ones are as safe as possible!
1 - Keep Sharp Objects Out of Reach
This one is pretty self-explanatory! But it is vital to keep sharp objects like knives and forks out of reach of your little ones! If you can, keep them on shelves or in draws that are out of reach for your toddler, if this isn’t possible then make sure to install child-proof locks on all your drawers/cupboards.
2 - Keep Cleaning Products Out of Reach
As with the tip above, keeping cleaning products out of reach of your toddler is important. Products should be placed out of reach of children, if this isn’t possible ensure products are locked away (install a child-proof lock) in a cupboard.
3 - Never Leave Hot Drinks or Food Unattended
Never leave hot drinks or food unattended or within an arm's reach of children as spillage can cause serious burns.
4 - Clear Countertops and Tables
Never leave anything sharp, hot or dangerous on the edge of the countertops or on tables. Even if you believe the sides or tables are too high for your little one to reach, don’t risk it! Your little one will grab anything they can get hold of - even if that means having to climb up drawers or stand on handles to reach them.
5 - Microwave Safety
Microwaves can be appealing to your little one as there are buttons and knobs to play with, along with the sounds that are made and lights that come on. Ensure your microwave is out of reach of your little one when in their highchair (also avoid sitting them on the side) and that there is a safety latch installed.
6 - Plastic Bags
Take care of plastic bags, and keep them stored high up and out of reach of children as bags can be a suffocation risk if your little one places the bag over their head.
7 - Cooking With Your Little One
If you are in the kitchen alone with your child, ensure they are securely strapped into their highchair to keep them safe while you are cooking. Never cook while you are holding your little one.
8 - Keep Breakables Out of Reach
Ensure that any and all glasses, pots and any other breakables are kept on a high shelf away from your child's line of sight. Only store wooden or plastic items on the lower shelves or cupboards in your kitchen.
9 - Safety Covers for Stoves
You can purchase safety covers for the knobs on your stove which stop your child from being able to turn them on. It's also a good idea to install a child lock on the oven doors to prevent your little one from being able to open them. When cooking, use the back burners so that your child cannot reach up and pull pot handles.
10 - Unplug Kitchen Appliances
When no longer using make a habit of unplugging any and all appliances when they are not in use. Put the appliances away as soon as you’ve finished using them and they are cool to touch. The cables are a strangling hazard as well as the risk of your little one getting hold of the cables and pulling them, sending the appliance tumbling down and onto them.
