Kitchen Safety for Toddlers: 10 Helpful Tips

Toddlers want to help with everything. And while it’s totally endearing for your little one to help you brush your hair, sweep the floor, or water the plants, there are some daily activities that simply aren’t safe for them to take part in. Today, let’s take a look at kitchen safety.

We’ve compiled a list to help keep your little one as safe as possible when hanging out in the heart of the home:

1. Always store strong, chemical products out of reach, locked in a cabinet. This includes (but isn’t limited to) dishwashing detergent, furniture polish, general household cleaners, and pest poisons.
2. Unplug counter appliances when they are not in use and be sure to never leave cords dangling to where your child could pull the appliance down onto themselves. Store sharp appliances such as blenders and food processors out of reach or in a locked cabinet.
3. Lock all sharp and dangerous utensils, such as knives, in a latched drawer that your child cannot access. Keep them separate from “safe” utensils, like your child’s training forks and spoons.
4. Never leave the oven door open, and when buying an oven, choose one with enough insulation to prevent the oven door from becoming hot to the touch when in use.
5. Be sure to turn pan and pot handles toward the back of the stove, keeping them out of your child’s reach as much as possible.
6. When taking hot food out of the oven or draining boiling water, make sure your child is a safe distance away, preferably in another room or in a play pen.
7. Keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen.
8. Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are in proper working order.
9. Keep all lighters or matches out of reach in a high cabinet or in a locked drawer.
10. Do not use refrigerator magnets that could pose a choking hazard to your child.

Be sure to check out full the contents of our blog, The Parenting Journey, for more helpful toddler tips, yummy recipes, newborn clothing advice, fun activities for the kids, and more!

Source: healthychildren.org, from the American Academy of Pediatrics