How to Childproof a Kitchen

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Adults think of a kitchen as a place to craft delicious meals, yet it is a serious danger zone for toddlers. Kitchens pose many hazards and are the source of many household accidents. Parents should take the right steps to childproof their kitchen to reduce the chances of a trip to the hospital.
Lock away all household chemicals
Most parents know that children should not be around poisons, but they do not realize how common poisons are. For instance, dishwasher detergent tabs are extremely dangerous for children and send many to the emergency room, according to CNN. These little tabs look like candy and yet are very dangerous if consumed. Parents may not recognize them as poison and thus may leave them in a low lying cabinet for children to reach.
All chemicals should be locked away. Placing them in a high cabinet can be effective only if the child definitely cannot reach them. Remember that toddlers love to climb, and there is a first time for everything. If your child climbs on a counter, think about what he or she might reach.
You should also make certain that all sharp objects such as knives and chopping devices are away from children. Remember that plastic bags are also dangerous for kids and are also typically stored in a kitchen. Keep these out of reach as well. Glass and ceramic plates can harm a child if they fall. Children should not be able to reach these. Kids also shouldn’t be able to reach devices with electric cords. Toddlers love to plug those in. You can even buy a childproof garbage can or a garbage can with a lockable lid.
The refrigerator is another problem area for toddlers. If the child manages to get into the fridge and it shuts behind him or her then he or she could suffocate. You can buy fridge locks to prevent this.
The stove and oven are another serious area of concern for children. Many ovens offer a lock feature. Make certain it is locked whenever not in use. Parents Magazine suggests using the back burners whenever possible to make it further out of the reach of toddlers. You can purchase knobs that snap shut over the stove controls.
If your child is old enough to listen, then talk to him or her about the dangers of the kitchen. Warn him or her not to eat anything that is not food and to stay away from the stove and oven. Of course, you will need to make a decision on the right time to bring this up if you feel that your comments will actually compel him or her to explore these dangerous areas.
Of course, nothing can safeguard a child like proper supervision. Make sure that you watch your toddler at all times while in the kitchen, especially if the oven and stove are in use. Keep them away and remember that even steam can produce burns. By doing this and taking the other precautions listed above, you will lower your chances of a serious mishap in the kitchen.