Many of us spend most of our time in our kitchens. They are a center for entertaining, provide relaxation and help us prepare meals. But as any professional chef will tell you, kitchens are a hazardous place to spend time in, and you baby may well agree.
At least once every week, most families bring some of the most dangerous items that enter the home into their kitchens: plastic bags. Instead of saving them, throw out the plastic bags immediately. Those bags covering clothes from the dry-cleaner are especially dangerous.
After your baby is older than three months, keep chairs and step stools away from countertops and stoves. Babies love to climb, and will take every opportunity to explore what mommy and daddy are doing.
Keep a current emergency phone numbers checklist available on your fridge, so that you have it handy when you most need it. Be sure your checklist includes the number for the poison control center.
The last time your baby touched the oven it was cold, so it may be surprised to learn just what 350º Fahrenheit feels like now that you're in the kitchen. If you have a toddler, those knobs are within reach. And when it smells what's cooking for dinner, your toddler may want to reach up and see what's in those pots.
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To be safe, turn pot handles inwards while cooking to keep them out of reach. Remove stove and oven knobs or install knob covers to keep burners off. A stove guard can help protect your little one's hands. You may also want to lock the oven door to prevent your baby from opening it crawling inside.
How often do you look in your fridge and decide there's nothing to eat? Your baby is sure to think differently. Look at what your fridge contains and see how many are potential choking hazards: fruit with pits, nuts, grapes, hot dogs. If your baby is determined, it may be tempted to climb in and explore some more. Some fridges are airtight, and your baby may suffocate it manages to get in and shut the door. Install a door lock to prevent your baby getting in.
Your baby is a determined adventurer, and no appliance will be left unexplored. If your dishwasher is full (and when are they not), your baby may discover more than it's bargained for.
Dishwashers can be opened by determined toddlers and often contain glassware and other breakables as well as sharp objects such as knives. Install a dishwasher door lock to make access to your dishwasher harder.
Kitchen cabinets contain many dangers for the unwary baby. Install locking latchesUse safety latches and locks to secure cabinets and drawers in kitchens, bathrooms and garages. Lock away harmful cleaning products and medications as well as dangerous objects such as knives. Even products wrapped in child resistant packaging should be locked away out of reach when not in use.
When choosing a lock, look for one that is easy to install and use, but sturdy enough to withstand pulls and tugs from small children. While locks are no guarantee of protection, they do reduce the risk of children accessing dangerous items, and may slow them down long enough for you to discover them. on the inside of all cabinet doors and drawers. If a cabinet has knobs, use knob latches. If a cabinet can't be locked because of its irregular shape or size, empty it out or better yet, fill is with soft toys and other baby-safe objects.
Be aware that some of the dried pasta you spilled on the floor while frantically cooking last night's dinner may still be hidden underneath the edges of your cabinets. And if it's there, your baby will find it. To prevent your baby from choking on spilled food, beans or pet food, be sure to check and sweep your kitchen floor regularly. Wipe liquid spills and other messes immediately.
Make sure that any dangerous equipment is kept out of the reach of babies and toddlers. Sharp objects such as knives should not be left near the edges of counters where a toddler can reach up for it. Keep other appliances such as toasters and food processors well away from counter edges so that they can't be dragged onto the floor. Unplug any appliances when not in use to minimize the risk of electrocution. If you have a microwave cart, strap it securely to the wall to minimize the risk of it toppling if your baby decides to climb it.
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The household cleaners, detergents and medications we keep in our kitchen should be locked away. Keep any poisons completely out of reach (that may mean emptying the cabinet under the sink).
Keep some activated charcoal (which helps absorb some poisons) and syrup of ipecac (an emetic to induce vomiting) available, but use only if the poison control center advises it.
Minimize the risk of electric shocks by installing ground fault circuit interrupters (GFI's) on outlets near sinks. GFI stop the electrical current when an appliance gets wet.
It's important always to be vigilant around your baby. You may have installed every child safety gadget you can find in your kitchen before discovering that your baby is trying out the dried pasta you dropped on the floor.
Be aware that the foods you eat and drink may be too hot for your baby. Some foods such as grapes, raisins, nuts and other munchies can get caught in your baby's throat and it can start choking. Be safe and keep all food out of the reach of children until you are ready to eat it yourself!
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