Ensuring your kitchen is childproof is essential for proper safety. Taking a few small precautions can eliminate unnecessary accidents. Also, providing children with their own kitchen space can make the time spent with your child more enjoyable. The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) in the U.S. has developed a short list of ideas to make your kitchen more kid-friendly.
- Put all cleaning products and poisonous substances of reach in a high cabinet or closet. If products must be in a cabinet accessible to children, install child safety locks on the doors.
- Move all electrical cords to the back of the counter-tops and tape them to the bottom of the counters, out of reach.
- Remove all tablecloths from the table so children cannot pull and drag heavy or hot items on themselves.
- If you have a table with glass or sharp corners, attach corner guards.
- Eliminate loose rugs in your kitchen by placing no-slip pads underneath them.
- Place kid-sized plastic dishes, snacks and napkins together in a lower cabinet so children can reach them. Having this self-service cabinet will make the children feel grown up and will allow you to have more cooking time without being interrupted.
- Encourage children to help participate in kitchen cleanup by purchasing kid-sized toy brooms and dustpans. Also purchase a junior set of utensils so children can feel they are helping during food preparation.
- Hang a chalkboard or dry erase board at a good height for children on the side of either your kitchen island or wall. Children will be able to draw pictures and remain entertained while you are busy preparing meals.