Simpson
Kids are somewhat inquisitive. Thus, they like observing what adults do and asking why they do that. Sometimes they love imitating people, especially their parents because they think it is tantalizing. No wonder they like hanging around the kitchen.
Unfortunately, the kitchen is not a safe haven for them because it poses many possible dangers. It does not mean you must push them away and halt their learning process. Instead, you can create a better place for both of you in your cooking space.
We have summed up these ten ideas on how to make your kitchen safer for the children, which allow you to cook comfortably and enable your kids to explore their imagination.
As always, Simphome presents you with the list.
10 Ideas on How to Make Your Kitchen Safer for the Children Video:
10. Remove Sharp Edges and Corners
Kids pack a lot of energy. Therefore, they are always running here and there inside the house. Still, they do not want to listen because that is their way to blow off steam.
It is dangerous to run in the kitchen. Kids can bump into the kitchen island or countertop with sharp edges because they have not developed full spatial awareness. Eventually, they will hurt themselves.
Do not let it happen. Investing in countertops, cabinets, and kitchen islands with rounded edges can keep this danger at bay. Not only do they eliminate the sustain bumps, but they also improve the look of your kitchen.
If making or purchasing new cabinets and kitchen islands with rounded edges is impossible, you can try installing corner guards on your existing furniture.
9. Make Sure the Floor is not Slippery
The kitchen is prone to spill and splash, which becomes a prime location for harmful bacteria to thrive. For this reason, you must sweep and mop the floor regularly to create a safe and comfortable space for your kids to play or even lie down.
If you find a piece of food drops on the floor, pick it up as soon as possible before your toddler puts it in their mouth. You will also need to consider investing in non-slip rugs because they can help you minimize the risk of slipping and falling. (Check some Amazon offers)
8. Invest in a Stove Guard
When you are busy preparing the meal in the kitchen, you may not notice that your kids are after the stove. The dancing flame can seem tantalizing to them. Thus, they will try to touch it when you do not see it.
Watch out! It is hazardous. And you do not want it to happen, do you? For this reason, you need to consider investing in a stove guard.
Stove guards are plates that you install around the stovetop to enclose it. They come in a perfect height that prevents your kids from accessing the stovetop without compromising your comfort when cooking. Some stove guards are from plastic, while others are metal grates. Some of them are easy to clean. You only need to disassemble them and put them into the dishwasher. (Check what Amazon has to offer here)
7. Set down Your Pot Handles Carefully
Besides the stove guard, you must also remember to turn your pot handles in. Ensure it is away from the edge of your stove so that hot stuff will not spill over, which may jeopardize your kids.
You can also try boiling liquids on the back burners to prevent curious tiny hands from coming closer.
They may wonder why they cannot touch the pot or pan. Therefore, you need to explain to them that it is hot and dangerous. Tell them that you must wear oven mitts to touch a hot pot. Even better, you can also make ones that fit their small hands nicely.
6. Consider Lower Seating
High stools may look stylish and be able to round out the elegance of your kitchen. However, they are not a top-notch choice for kids and toddlers.
They will have to climb up the stools to sit, which can be dangerous. They could slip and fall.
For this reason, you have to provide a lower seating area so your kids can eat comfortably. They can even help you cut the vegetables there.
5. A Chalkboard Wall to Entertain Your Kids
When waiting for you to work in the kitchen, your kids may feel bored. As a result, they begin exploring everything in the kitchen, which may harm them.
The top-notch solution to this problem is to create an inviting cooking space for them. You can do this by creating a dedicated playground in the kitchen or making a chalkboard wall.
A chalkboard wall is a simple way to make your kids busy and enjoy their time. Besides, it is easy to create one. If your wall comes in white or a light hue, consider priming it with the first coat of gray before applying the chalkboard paint.
Once the chalkboard wall is ready, your kids will find it interesting because they can draw and doodle on it. You can also write down the recipe for the food you will cook.
4. Unplug Small Appliances when not in Use
The kitchen contains a lot of appliances that require electricity. Therefore, an ideal kitchen requires accessible power outlets in some spots.
While you enjoy the efficiency and convenience of reachable power outlets, your kids may be in danger. They may be hurt or, even worse, electrocuted.
Therefore, you must unplug toasters, coffee makers, blenders, and other small appliances when you do not use them and stash them away so your kids cannot find and play with them. It would help if you also considered purchasing outlet covers for extra safety.
3. Keep all Sharp Tools out of Kids’ Reach
We all know that knives are dangerous. Thus, you need to store them in a place where your kids cannot access them, such as in your drawer.
If you choose to stash away your knives in the drawer, make sure you lock them with a childproof latch.
You can also use some other objects to lock your drawers safely. Most importantly, you will not need to spend any money to get them. Even better, you will not deal with woodworking.
Did you know you can use a rubber band to secure your cabinet? Just wrap it around the knobs, and you are all set.
You can also use a yardstick or dowel rod to secure your drawer. You only need to run it through the handles.
2. Provide Some Space for Them
Kids always admire what their parents do. No wonder they like imitating adults.
It is okay because it is a process of learning. You should encourage your kids by investing in kitchen toys. This way, they can play with pretend food and kitchen equipment, which are totally safe.
Speaking about food, when children come to play, they open themselves to some risk they probably are unaware of, and that concern becomes the parents’ responsibility to handle.
Next, here are
View ideas on how to save your children from food poisoning
We’ve all heard of E. coli, salmonella, and other nasty bugs that can make us sick. But what if they made their way into your family’s dinner through a child? These days, an increasing number of parents are concerned about how food safety might affect their kids.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half a million children under five are hospitalized from food poisoning each year — that’s more than double the hospitalization rate between 2000 and 2005. While most cases involve salmonella, several outbreaks have been linked to E. coli and Campylobacter.
However, you don’t have to be a parent who constantly worries about your kid getting one of these illnesses. You can take simple steps to keep your family safe in the kitchen and prevent anyone else in your home from getting sick.
1. Keep Cooked Food Hot
One of the biggest mistakes people make when cooking is leaving food at room temperature for too long. That means leftovers need to be kept hot until ready to eat. If you’re in doubt, check the date on the packaging before placing anything in the fridge.
2. Don’t Let Kids Handle Raw Meat or Poultry
Kids aren’t the only ones who should avoid raw meat. Adults tend to handle raw chicken more often than we realize, which can carry germs like salmonella.
If you’re unsure whether your meat is safe to eat, you can use a meat thermometer to test its internal temperature. The USDA recommends using one for ground beef and poultry below 165 degrees Fahrenheit; above that; you’re dealing with red meat.
3. Wash Hands With Soap Before Servicing Meals
It may sound silly, but washing hands will help stop germs from spreading. You don’t have to spend a fortune on soap, either. Simply rub some hand sanitizer onto your palms and then wash with regular water.
4. Store Produce, Dairy Products, And Other Perishable Items In The Fridge Or Freezer
You probably already know this, but it’s worth repeating. Keeping food cold slows down bacterial growth, so perishable items should always be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. This includes bread, pastries, dairy products, vegetables, fruits, and salad ingredients.
If you’re unsure where your food comes from, you can usually find the country of origin listed on the label.
5. Avoid Contaminated Water From Sprinklers When Caring For Dogs
Dogs love to lick themselves clean, and it’s no wonder why. According to the CDC, dogs can carry up to 100 different types of bacteria. If you let them lick your face while you cook, you could bring dangerous germs home.
To keep your dog safe, make sure you don’t allow him to lick surfaces inside your house, especially around the sink or dishwasher. And don’t let him lick you directly after you finish cooking. Instead, give him his bowl of water before serving yourself.
6. Use Child Safety Locks On Refrigerators
Most refrigerators come with a child lock, preventing someone younger than 12 years old from opening them without an adult. It doesn’t matter if you’re cooking something with high heat, such as frying eggs. The child lock will still work.
This feature isn’t available on every model, however. Check with the manufacturer to see if yours has it.
7. Prevent Harmful Chemicals From Leaking Into Toilets
Even though it won’t kill someone, chlorine bleach is extremely toxic. You also risk skin irritation and lung damage if you inhale the fumes.
To prevent this problem, never pour bleach directly into a toilet tank. Instead, mix it with warm water and let it sit for 5 minutes before flushing away. Be careful not to splash bleach on your hands or clothes since it’s highly corrosive.
8. Clean Up After Themselves At Dinner Time
When children get older, they start to understand that eating is part of the process of making meals. As a result, they’ll try to put everything back where it came from. They might even leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight.
But it’s best to set an example by cleaning up right away. Teach children it’s okay to ask questions when unsure about how things work.
9. Check Their Toys Regularly For Rusticles (And Not Just Once A Year)
Rusticles are small bits of metal that can form when toys are exposed to moisture. If you notice rusticles on your kid’s toys, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re contaminated. They may have been exposed to water during normal play.
However, if you suspect your little one has been playing near a drain, you should immediately clean and discard the toy.
Return to our countdown,
Lastly, Number 1. Lock the Dust Bin
The dustbin packs a lot of bacteria. For this reason, you should keep it out of your kids’ reach. You can do this by keeping it in a locked cabinet. Another alternative is making a pull-out dustbin to help you work in the kitchen efficiently.
Cooking while babysitting is not a piece of cake. Fortunately, you have already equipped yourself with some of the finest ideas to make your kitchen safer for the children. Good luck with your next cooking project, and until we meet again with the next kitchen improvement project, stay safe!
References:
10. Houzz.com, Kitchenwarehouseltd.com
9. Purewow.com, Insider.com
8. Momlovesbest.com
7. Purewow.com
6. Handmadekitchens.co.uk
5. Frugal-bonvivant.com, Kitchenwarehouseltd.com
4. Parents.com, Kids.lovetoknow.com, Parenting.firstcry.com
3. Edenprivatestaff.com, Modernmoms.club
2. Handmadekitchens.co.uk
1. Edenprivatestaff.com, Amazon.com
