Are you worried about dealing with the many hazards your child is susceptible to in the kitchen? Being the central place of your home, the kitchen is also one of the riskiest places for your young ones, with dangers lurking in almost every corner, which means you have to be extremely cautious.
Of course, toddlers are highly fascinated to explore the numerous activities around the kitchen. As tempting as it may seem to the young ones, the appliances and utensils around can be highly hazardous. We understand how overwhelming it can become to tackle your child's intrusion in the kitchen.
Fortunately, if you're aware of the hazards, you can mitigate the risks by taking certain baby-proof measures to adapt to the presence of your little ones and reduce the risks their presence may pose.
Here are a few effective solutions to make your kitchen safe for your children.
1. Baby Proof the Stove and Oven
Stoves and ovens are highly hazardous, so you need to take extra caution when you have little ones around. These young, inquisitive individuals might not realize the potential threat from these appliances, making it vital to take the necessary measures.
Remember never to leave your stove unattended when the burners are turned on to prevent any hot spills or touching of the stove.
Detach your stove knobs and put them on the side, making it impossible for toddlers to turn on the stove or the oven. If this seems to be a daunting task each time you're done cooking, get your hands on stove knob covers. Attach them to the knobs so they cannot be turned on.
If you've got low-height stoves, it is imperative to invest in a stove guard, which plays the role of a protective shield by enclosing the stovetop up to a certain height. This will barricade the little hands from the scorching flame.
2. Unplug Electrical Appliances
Whether it is the blender, toaster, or microwave, make it a ritual to unplug the appliance once you're done using it. Your little one can be intrusive beyond limits in the kitchen, so it's safest to remove any electrical wires from their reach.
More so, any loose wires hanging down can cause them to yank on and seriously injure themselves or even topple the entire appliance over them so you wouldn't risk any accidents.
3. Be Mindful of the Dishwasher
The dishwasher is no less an interesting yet extremely risky appliance for your little one. Make sure to keep it locked at all times to prevent any damage. Check if your dishwasher has a lock feature that can be activated to turn the child lock on automatically.
If your dishwasher has a utensil holder in the lower rack, be wary of the sharp knives and forks you place, which can be easily accessible by young hands. Try placing them with the sharper side facing underneath, and ensure to latch it each time you’re done using the appliance.
Do not put in the dishwashing detergent until you're ready to run the appliance to avoid any ingestion accidents.
4. Use Corner Guards for Sharp Edges
The sharp corners of your dining table can cause painful head injuries to young toddlers. To prevent any such accidents, purchase corner guards for the table's edges to provide extra cushioning.
5. Do Not Place Anything on Countertops or Edges of The Table
Whether out of habit or in a hurry, you might place hot dishes, glassware, or sharp knives on the edge of the table or counter. Do not forget that your little toddler can pull it down with their little hands by just tiptoeing a little or using the support of a chair or drawer handles.
Be especially cautious if you're placing table cloths on the dining table. The kids can pull it down the floor, and everything might topple over.
6. Keep Glassware and Sharp Items Out of Reach
Now that you've got young kids in the house, it's time to reorganize your cabinets to keep the fragile items out of reach of your children.
You need to childproof your cabinets, putting away all the sharp utensils, including knives and scissors, medicines, glass utensils, beyond the reach of your children. Try keeping such items in the cabinets at a higher level where it is difficult for your child to access them.
7. Install Safety Locks
An even practical option is to install safety locks on the drawers and cabinets that are on the lower level, barricading the items inside from the reach of young children.
After all, the kitchen is the hub for storing all the home essentials such as cleaning liquids and perilous items for kids. Obviously, it's not practical to keep everything out of sight, but a better way is to secure the cabinets tightly with safety locks.
You'll come across an array of lock options for your drawers and cabinets. From the easier latch locks to the super-strong magnetic locks, the adhesive pull cord locks, and the tension rods, choose the ones that best lock your cabinets.
8. Keep the Fridge Locked
The fridge can be quite an interesting appliance for children. From opening and shutting the magnetic door to curiously searching inside for some delicious treats, you know how challenging it can be to get your refrigerator repaired.
Fortunately, you can curb this problem and relieve yourself from the constant stress of the possibility of a terrible mess by locking your fridge, either with the keys or childproof door latches. Moreover, as additional precautions, place the glass bottles, jars, sodas, and other fragile items on shelves that are relatively inaccessible for toddlers. After all, you don't want your kids to rummage through the contents of your fridge.
Toddler Proof Your Kitchen Today!
Now that you've taken all the necessary measures to toddler-proof your kitchen, you can minimize the dangers and make the kitchen a safe place for your child. However, keep in mind that it is never a great idea to leave your toddler unattended. Adult supervision is as vital as the need to baby-proof the place.
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