Childproofing the Kitchen

A Checklist for Babyproofing Your Kitchen

According to Center for Injury and Violence Prevention, kitchens are a common area for fires, scalds, poisoning, choking, cuts and falls. Help protect your child from these common causes of injury by addressing each of these kitchen culprits.

OVEN: Ovens are a common cause of burns and scalds. Follow these general safety tips to reduce injury.

• Use back burners for cooking whenever possible and turn pot handles towards the wall.
• If your oven is not “built-in” be sure to attach the oven to the wall to prevent tipping.
• Keep your child from accessing the oven by installing an oven lock.
• Do not hang dish towels on the oven handle, it can be used to pull the oven door open and it can be an attraction to your baby.
  

STOVE: Stoves are commonly the cause of burns and scalds.

• Remove stove knobs to prevent your child from turning on the stove or protect with stove knob covers.
• Use a stove guard to protect little ones from scalds and burns by touching the burner or grabbing a pot handle.

DISHWASHER: Dishwashers can be a cause of cuts and poisoning.

• Install a dishwasher lock to prevent a child from accessing the dishwasher.
• Run dishes immediately upon putting detergent into dishwasher to prevent poisoning.
• Store knives and forks down in the dishwasher to prevent cuts.

COUNTERTOPS: Items stored on the countertops can be the cause of scalding, cuts, electrocution, and poisoning.

• Do not store dangerous or breakable items on countertops. (A child may reach for things while in the arms of an adult.)
• Keep all knives up and completely out of reach.
• Appliances should be unplugged and stored when not in use.
• Do not leave your medicines on the counter. Instead lock them up in a high, out of reach cabinet.

CABINETS:

• Do not store cleaning products or other dangerous items in lower drawers and cabinets, even if cabinet locks are used.
• It is recommended that all cabinets and drawers waist level and below have cabinet locks. Even pots and pans should be locked up. Remember, if a child believes pots and pans are toys, he will be tempted to play with them even when they are in use on the burner.
• Lock up your spices. Did you know that less than 2 tablespoons of salt can cause seizures in a child?

REFRIGERATOR:

• Use a refrigerator lock to keep curious tots out of the fridge.
• Keep meds and other dangerous items in the refrigerator on a top shelf.
• Remove refrigerator magnets that could pose a choking hazard.

GENERAL SAFETY TIPS:

• To prevent scalding, your water heater should be set down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Ensure floor rugs are secure with non-slip adhesive or padding to prevent slippage.
• Keep a fire extinguisher close to the kitchen.
• Tablecloths and towels can be pulled down bringing all items on top with them.

ACCESS:

• If possible, consider a child safety gate to to make the entire kitchen area off-limits to children.
• Do not let your child play in the kitchen area. The child and their toys could potentially be a tripping hazard for the cook.

This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list. These tips, along with close adult supervision, together can reduce the risks of injury to young children in the home. No product can guarantee safety.

Must Have Babyproofing Products for the Kitchen: