Kids love being in the kitchen. There are always so many interesting things there: bright pots, pans, mugs, plates, colorful packaging and bags, buzzing appliances, and many other interesting little things. Kids want to gnaw them, lick and touch them with their hands. The perfect place to play! But at the same time, every parent understands that the kitchen is one of the most dangerous places in the apartment for a child. We always make many demands on the kitchen: practicality, functionality, and most importantly, safety. But this question is especially relevant when a baby grows up in the house, whose actions are controlled by a strong desire to explore the world.
What To Consider To Make The Kitchen Safe For Kids
First of all, be patient with this task. It is important to understand that the child is just beginning to learn about this world, each new object causes him or her delight and admiration. And at this stage, it is essential not to forbid kids to feel objects tactilely. Your task is to make this process as safe as possible. So how can you protect your child in the kitchen? What planning rules do you need to follow?
Minimize Sharp Corners
When buying or reorganizing a kitchen set, keep sharp corners to a minimum. This applies not only to countertops, open shelves, and chairs but also to overhead handles on cabinets. Give preference to rounded furniture, which will minimize the risks. On the modern market, you can easily find not only safe but stylish options that are both functional and aesthetically attractive. You can also cover the corners with soft material, such as special rubber or plastic pads so that the child cannot hit or scratch.
Store Kitchen Appliances Out Of Reach
Household appliances, even when they are turned off, are fraught with danger for the baby because many devices are equipped with sharp knives and other components (blenders, mixers), which are easy to get hurt. We recommend organizing a separate area for storing small kitchen appliances, always at a height of average human height. The best option for this purpose is a closed cabinet with a reliable shelf design. After use, all parts of the equipment, such as a multi-cooker, should be folded and removed as far as possible from the reach of children’s hands.
Use The Locks On The Doors And Drawers
In any kitchen set, there are drawers and cabinets located near the floor. Exploring these boxes for a toddler is like a treasure hunt for an adult. Meanwhile, they may contain potentially dangerous items. You can check the contents of all closets in advance and remove anything from them that can lead to injury, but this is a too long and tedious process. It would be much better to restrict the child’s access to drawers and cabinets where dishes and kitchen utensils are stored. Furniture blockers are another option to limit your baby’s way to potentially dangerous items in the kitchen. An alternative to blockers and lockable drawers is a cabinet with removable handles. By putting them away, you will not only limit access but also minimize the risk of the child hitting the protruding elements. Similar handles should also be used on windows.
Make The Floor Non-Slippery
Ceramic tiles are perhaps the most common flooring in the kitchen. If you are just going to make repairs, you should choose tiles with a rough surface that imitates natural stone, or give preference to models with a special anti-slip coating. The most wear-resistant and durable floor coverings include textured linoleum or laminate. Cleaning will have to be done much more often than usual because the child in the kitchen constantly litters and spills water. Cozy rugs in the kitchen are not needed: it will be difficult to take care of them even when the baby grows up. However, the rubber-based floor mats are a perfect choice, which will not only save your children from injury but also do not take much effort to clean.
Choose Age-Appropriate Furniture
Unfortunately, not all parents understand how important it is for children to have their own place for eating, suitable for their height, and many make them sit at a common table. In fact, this is a very convenient thing that makes life easier for many parents around the world. Before putting a new high chair into service, make sure that it is sufficiently stable on the floor surface. Also, do not install it close to walls and large objects. The child can push off with his feet from the surface of the walls and fall with the chair. Seat belts on the highchair are mandatory. Usually, they are included with a new chair. The child seat must be installed away from hazardous electrical appliances and stoves.
Do not think about just keeping the child out of the kitchen, as attempts are bound to fail. The curiosity of young children has no bounds, and scolding them for it is completely pointless. It is much wiser to think in advance about how to protect the child from the dangers in the kitchen. Of course, it is impossible to save children from all risks. However, if you follow the above tips, the kitchen will become an almost safe place. All these rules seem complicated only at first, but they will quickly become a habit, and your family will be totally protected.
