Safety in the kitchen

The kitchen is an area fraught with danger and you need to be vigilant with safety precautions and supervision of baby when he is nearby.

• The floors should be non-slip.

• All work surfaces should be well lit.

• The floor should be uncluttered.

• Windows and glazed doors should be fitted with toughened safety glass.

• Keep cupboard doors closed and preferably fitted with child locks.

• Keep drawers shut and put child locks on them if possible.

• Always wipe up spilled liquid at once.

• Keep work surfaces as clear as possible so that sharp implements such as knives can be spotted immediately.

• Fit a cooker guard around the hob.

• Never leave a boiling pan or chip pan unattended on the stove.

• Use the back rings of the cooker, and always turn the pan handles towards the back of the stove.

• Never reach across a heated burner or ring; you could burn yourself, or knock a pan off the stove.

• Whenever using electrical equipment always follow the manufacturer's instructions exactly.

• Don't use tablecloths. Even a crawling baby can reach up and pull whatever's on the table on top of himself.

• Keep matches in a safe, cool place.

• Don't cook with your toddler around you. Arrange a safe play area in a special part of the kitchen so that you can still talk to each other.

• Keep the flex on any electrical equipment short and out of the way.

• Don't store things that you use frequently on a high shelf. When you do have to reach into a high place, stand on a secure kitchen ladder, and make sure that your balance is good before you reach up.

• Always keep cloths away from the stove in case of fire.

• Make sure your dishwasher, washing machine and dryer have safety locks.

• Keep a fire blanket next to the stove in case anything catches fire.

• Keep plastic bags well out of reach of your child.

• Your child's fingers could easily catch in a swing door. Either get rid of it or secure it in an open position.

• Any “glasses” that your child uses should be unbreakable.

• Never leave a room with the iron on; it's all too easy for your child to topple both board and iron on top of himself.

• Always keep your baby and her toys away from the immediate cooking area so that there's no risk of you tripping and spilling hot liquid over her. Put her in either a playpen, baby bouncer or highchair while you are cooking.

• If you put your child in a playpen in the kitchen make sure that it is well out of reach of the work tops.

• Store all cleaning materials - such as bleach or soap powders - out of reach.

Dr Miriam Stoppard

New Babycare
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley
Text copyright © 2009 Miriam Stoppard

Posted 30.06.2010

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