childproofing your kitchen: a complete safety guide

Kids want to help you cook! The kitchen can seem like a fun and exciting place for them, but there are also so many dangers.  

Dayton Children’s wants all children to be safe while they’re having fun exploring their senses and gaining independence in the kitchen. So here are our 3 best safety tips to avoid injuries while creating meals as a family.

1. beware of burns and scalds

Did you know children have thinner skin than adults and can get burned more easily than adults?  

A burn is caused by dry heat, for example, by an iron or fire. A scald is caused by something wet, such as hot water or steam.  

Hot drinks like tea and coffee are often served at 175 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter. Liquid this hot can burn a young child’s skin in as little as one second and lead to hospital stays, surgeries, or lifelong scars.  

We don’t want this to happen to our children. So help prevent burns and scalds by:  

• Get hot food and drinks out of reach and away from the edges of counters and tables. Young children are natural explorers with developing motor skills. They may like to grab just about everything as they explore. Make sure dangerous items are out of their reach.  
• Avoid using tablecloths and runners that children can pull down. Toddlers who are learning to walk will pull themselves up using whatever they can reach, including tablecloths that have hot foods and drinks sitting on them! 
• Put a lid on it: Use cups with lids on hot drinks, even when you are at home. 
• Turn those handles: When cooking, turn the handles of pots and pans so that they do not hang over the edge of the stove. Cook on the back burners when possible. 
• Follow directions: When using the microwave, follow manufacturer instructions and only allow kids who are old enough to follow written directions to use the microwave.  

2. create cutting safety 

The scariest thing in the kitchen are the sharp objects! They might be shiny and attractive to little ones, but it’s important to prevent injury by sharp objects by:  

• Storing knives, forks, scissors, and other sharp tools in a drawer with a childproof latch.  
• Using kid-safe knives, crinkle cutters and utensils under supervision in the kitchen.  
• Explaining to your child that knives, even kid-safe ones are tools, and not toys. You can say, “Knives are used to cut food, and when cutting is done we put the knife down!” 

3. put the poisons away 

There is plenty to taste and eat in the kitchen, but it’s important to make sure that your toxic items are not on that list! You may unknowingly have toxic items easily in reach within your kitchen. Some of these chemicals may look like food or drink to a child who can’t read a label and we call these, “pretty poisons.” Make sure your kitchen is a safe zone by:  

• Using baby gates to block off busy areas, or put children in highchairs, play yards or other safe places while cooking. 
• Moving cleaning supplies, bug sprays, dishwasher detergent, and dishwashing liquids up, away and out of sight of kids. If you cannot move these chemicals, be sure to install a cabinet lock.  
• Putting vitamins and medicines in and out of reach cabinet and always put them back rather than on the counter or table.  

As parents, we understand that the kitchen is a special place where young kids can explore and learn about food, cooking, and independence. However, it's our responsibility to ensure their safety as they explore cooking with us. By following the practical tips we've shared in this blog, you can create a safer environment for your children, reducing the risks of burns, cuts, and poisoning incidents.

For more information on kitchen safety, check out our kitchen safety checklist, or read our five-step guide to creating a kid-friendly kitchen.