Designed with kids in mind - Kitchen

Subject page : Life & Style

Child-Proofing your kitchen

The kitchen offers many challenges for the safety conscious parent. Here are some tips on Kitchen Appliance Safety

Turn the handles of pots and pans toward the back of the cooker or worktop.Use the back burners for cooking whenever possible.

Don't Let your child play at your feet while you are cooking.

Use a cooker guard to prevent your baby from reaching the burners.

If your child can reach the controls on the Font of the cooker; try installing cooker knob covers that he/she can't turn them.

Never leave a boiling saucepan or sizzling frying pan unattended.

Teach your child that the oven is "hot" and not to touch.

Install an safety latch on appliances such as the microwave, refrigerator and dishwasher.

keep the dishwasher closed when not in use. There are many sharp edges inside a loaded dishwasher that can hurt a young child.

Keep plug-in appliances,such as toasters and electric can openers in cupboards or on high shelves where your child can't reach them. There is a risk of electrocution if a child tries to plug them in.

Safer Work tops, Cupboards and Drawers

Never allow your child to sit on the worktop.Besides the danger of a fall, they can easily reach for items that can harm them.

Use Cupboard and drawer Guard Latches to keep certain reachable cupboard doors and drawers off limits to your child.

Use cord shorteners on appliances such as electric kettles and away from where your child can pull on them.

Set aside at least one cupboard for your little one to explore and play with (perhaps where you store safe items such as Tupperware and non-breakable pots and pans.

Keep rubbish in a tightly covered container or, better; behind a securely latched cupboard door.

Author:  (Courtesy of the Trade and Industry)
Added:  49 Jun 2009