Smart Safety: Kitchen Safety Tips for Busy Moms

Kids are wonderfully inquisitive and while that curiosity helps them to learn new things and embrace their imagination, it also leads them to get into just about everything! When it comes to keeping them safe in the home, especially the kitchen, childproofing isn’t as simple as buffering sharp table corners and covering electric sockets.

There are a host of other reminders and safety tips to keep in mind - don’t miss this quick list:

Avoiding Burns

Hot stovetops, ovens, dishwasher steam . . . the agents for potential burns are all over the kitchen. Remember to:

• Use back burners for cooking that are further out of reach when possible
• Add knob protectors to your stovetop to prevent kids from accidentally turning the range on
• Turn the handles of pots and pans away from the edge when cooking on the stove
• Let your dishwasher cool down after its dry cycle to prevent hot steam from escaping when you open it
• Make sure your fire extinguisher is not expired and easy to access in the event of a fire
• Always remain in the kitchen with your children when food is cooking
• Avoid leaving hot water running when you’re not looking

Protecting Against Cuts

From knives to broken glass, you’ll find more sharp objects in the kitchen than just about anywhere else. Don’t forget to:

• Store knives in a protective knife block or drawer little ones can’t reach
• Keep sharp utensils (like blender and food processor blades) stowed away out of reach or in a locked cabinet
• Place utensils like forks and knives with their points down when loading the dishwasher
• Lock kitchen shears, scissors, and other sharp tools in a closed drawer
• Always be prepared with a fully-stocked first aid kit in the event of a minor cut or scrape
• Take care when washing or loading glassware in the dishwasher to avoid chipping or breaking it into sharp pieces

Guarding Against Bumps and Bruises

Bumps and bruises are a hallmark of an active childhood, however, you can take steps to prevent too many in the kitchen. Make a note to:

• Add a child lock to the dishwasher to keep kids from opening the door up on themselves or running into
• Bundle up loose cords and scoot them out of reach on the countertop so kids don’t accidentally pull heavy appliances down on themselves
• Keep a sturdy step stool handy that kids can stand on (instead of a wobbly chair) to reach up higher with your permission, i.e. to help reach the counter to help you make cookies

Preventing Poisonings

It doesn’t help that chemical containers are often bright, exciting colors, so practicing extra caution to prevent poisonings is a must. Keep in mind to:

• Store hazardous chemicals and cleaning supplies out of reach of children, either up high or in a locked cabinet
• Put “Danger” stickers (skull and crossbones) on bottles so kids know they are not to be touched
• Keep dishwasher detergent out of reach of children (and pets) - detergent pods have known to be mistaken for treats by small children!
• Make sure alcoholic beverages are stowed away where kids cannot get them

Keeping your family safe should be as much a priority inside your home as it is outside. Use this kitchen safety checklist for helpful reminders!