Safety For Small Kitchens

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You have to always think safety when you have small children running around the house. Especially in the kitchen – where sharp objects, heat, electricity, and chemicals abound – curious hands can get into a lot of trouble. Even in small kitchens where you would think that there is little chance of things going wrong, safety checks would still have to be performed. Particularly around kitchen appliances where the danger is greatest, you have to keep a sharp lookout for trouble.

The following are some tips to get you started on making your kitchen safer for your family:

-         As much as possible, keep children away from the kitchen. It is a place of work and with them running around, you will never get things done. You should implement a rule that the kitchen is used for cooking and not playing. You will have more room to maneuver and you will not have to worry about tripping over toys when you move about. By keeping kids out of the kitchen, you can also cut the time needed to keep it tidy and clean.

-         If you are alone and you need to watch the child, place his playpen near the door to allow you a clear view of him playing. He is kept out of the way and you get things done. When the child is big enough, a high chair placed near the kitchen table is a good idea. Give him something to do so that he will not get bored as you work.

-         Storage space should be used wisely. Use whatever space you have strategically. Never place hazardous chemicals under the kitchen sink because a toddler can easily get to it. Drawers should be free from knives and other sharp implements. Have all dangerous things locked up or placed high. Use the high cupboards for things that can cut, burn, choke, or poison – which is almost all things that can be found in a typical kitchen. Consider moving seldom used things to the basement for the meantime.

-         Pan handles should always be pointed inwards. This is a basic precaution against spilling hot contents onto children. Kids are naturally curious and they tend to tug at things. An exposed handle is just begging to be pulled. This is also applicable to adults as a handle that is turned inwards is less likely to get bumped.

-         As a general rule, never leave a child unattended if there is something cooking on the stove or in the oven. The heat from the pan or the oven door is enough to burn delicate hands. Also, don’t leave stools and chairs lying around. Children are very resourceful and they will clamber up anything to satisfy their innate curiosity.

-         When a kitchen is small, there is a possibility that things that should be put away are left lying around your countertops. This is not only an eyesore, it is a potential hazard waiting to happen. Put everything away especially knives and cleaning chemicals. Not only will you get your kitchen organized, you will make it safer as well.