Children often attempt to imitate what older people do, and what happens in the kitchen is no exception. Children will try to get hold of whatever appliance is in their reach to make what they want to do look as real as possible. Experts say that the kitchen is the pivot of a home. It is where food is prepared and stored. But as much as the kitchen is considered to be the most dominant room in a home, it can also be the source of hazards. The situation is worse when there are young children who mainly consider it a ‘fascinating place’. As it stands, child burns are most common among children aged five years and below. And there is no doubt that the major occurrence is in the kitchen. Here are some ways in which a kitchen can be made safer for children. Cabinets, drawers, and accessories Experts in interior design recommend installing and using safety latches and locks for cabinets and drawers in the kitchen. The locks, they say, keep children away from accessing potentially harmful substances such as medicine and detergents, knives, and lighters. On the other hand, for homes that use a stove, it is essential to add knob covers, especially if it is within a child’s reach. This will prevent the child from accidentally turning it on. Besides potential burns, stove knobs will prevent fumes from filling your home. Kitchen power sockets and cables To ensure safety, electric outlets in the kitchen must be covered and also put out of children’s reach. Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) notes that young children are more at risk of getting electrocuted by kitchen power accessories. This is because they often pull out electrical plug heads from the socket and poke the socket holes with their fingers. This can easily result in electrocution. The kitchen door Most kitchens will have two doors. One door will lead to the living area and the other to the kitchen backyard. Parents and home guardians are advised to prevent children from entering the kitchen. Equally important is to ensure that a kitchen door knob cover is sturdy, and allows a door to be opened quickly by an adult in case of emergency. Childproof Store strong cleaners, lye, furniture polish, dishwasher soap, and other dangerous products in a high cabinet, locked and out of sight. “If you must store some items under the sink, buy a child safety lock that refastens automatically every time you close the cupboard. (Most hardware and department stores have them.),” reads part of a statement published on HealthChildren.org. The statement warns against the transfer of dangerous substances into containers that look like they might hold food as this may tempt a child to taste it. Keep flammable objects such as curtains, towels, oven mitts and debris away from the stove. Make sure handles on pots and pans are secure, not loose. Tighten them if they are wobbly, or if they can’t be fixed, throw the pots and pans out, and, keep spices out of children’s reach. Many are toxic, Parents, a blog, recommends.
