Having a toddler at home is a joy to the family. However, keeping these kids safe from accidents and injuries can be a bit of a challenge. This is especially harder to achieve in the kitchen. This is easily one of the most dangerous rooms in the home because it houses sharp utensils and toxic cleaning agents, to name a few.
There are many accidents waiting to happen to little children in an unsafe kitchen. Make it easier for the family to protect your toddlers by installing safe kitchen features for toddlers. Safety measures in the home can prevent injuries and emergencies that can harm your children. Below are 10 examples of safety features for toddlers and low-cost DIY security measures you can avail of to protect your kids at home.
1. Keep all doors securely closed
Easily opened doors can pose a hazard to your children. They can rummage through refrigerators and accidentally spill food all over themselves. They can even open cupboards and injure themselves while handling dangerous materials, like glassware or knives.
You don’t need fancy baby locks to secure these doors. If your shelves and fridge are reachable even by your smallest children, you only need common household items to close them firmly. For cupboards, you can use hair ties or hangers to secure cupboard knobs. For fridge doors, you can use 3M latches or hooks and stick them side by side, then secure them together with hair ties or strong rubber bands.
2. Store hazardous materials carefully
Kitchens are full of dangerous and toxic cleaning agents and other substances that are harmful to children. Make sure that these materials are stored carefully. preferably in hard-to-reach places such as high cupboards.
Refrain from storing them in food containers so your children won’t mistake them for food. This also includes keeping food away from toxic substances by storing them in separate shelves or cupboards.
3. Beware of sharp corners
Dining tables and counters have sharp edges that could easily injure your children. Secure these sharp corners by using old tennis balls. Cut holes into them that fit securely into the sharp edges of the tables and counter corners.
4. Take into account stove safety
A prime factor in kitchen safety for toddlers should include preventing them from accessing the stove. When they tinker with the stove knobs, it could lead to accidents.
You can prevent this by taking the knobs off the stove and storing them in a safe height for when you need to use them. You can even make knitted covers to make it hard for toddlers to turn the knobs.
5. Keep the floor skid-proof
Accidents can also happen in the kitchen when your toddlers slip and fall on the floor. You can protect your toddler from this type of incident by first making sure that you immediately wipe spills from the floor. You should also use mats to make your floor non-slip.
You can also improvise with your children’s socks using fabric paint. Paint the soles of the socks to make the garment skid-proof. This slows your toddlers down, as they take a stroll on the kitchen floor.
6. Secure your trash can
A secure trash can is one of the many safe kitchen features for toddlers. There are many nasty things inside the garbage can that may be toxic or dangerous to little children. Make sure your trash can’s lid is securely fastened so that it won’t be opened easily by toddlers. You can even place the trash can in an inaccessible hiding place; so that it won’t be tampered with.
7. Cover electric plugs
Exposed electric plugs can also become a source of electric shock injuries, especially among toddlers who don’t know any better. You can prevent this by covering the electric plugs with tape, or you can buy plugs with their own caps.
8. Store glassware and sharp objects up high
You can also maintain toddler safety in the kitchen by storing glassware and sharp objects in places your toddler can’t reach. Examples of these are China plates and metal knives or scissors. Any of these could injure your children accidentally. You should keep them in a high place; so your children can’t play with them.
9. Use straps on high chairs
Another example of a safety kitchen feature for toddlers are straps for their high chairs. Toddlers have a tremendous tendency to move around playfully, as they eat. It can be messy, but it can also be dangerous if they fall off their chair. Ensure this doesn’t happen by choosing a high chair that has straps on them, to secure your toddler on the seat.
10. Install baby gates
Toddlers are natural explorers. They will waddle in and out of any room they can access. If left unattended, they can venture into the kitchen while you are busy, and they can easily trip over them and cause accidents. Make sure your children don’t accidentally stumble into the kitchen by installing a baby gate on the kitchen doors.
Three main things to remember when baby-proofing your kitchen
Installing safety measures inside your kitchen and throughout your home is just one way to keep your toddlers free of accidents or injuries. Below are three crucial things you need to take note of when securing your toddler’s safety in your house:
1. Orient everyone on home safety protocols
Make sure everyone in your family is familiar with the safety protocols in your home. If you have older kids in the house, have them take responsibility for protecting their younger siblings from danger.
Set safety rules and display these in an easy-to-spot corner in the room; so everyone will be constantly reminded of the kitchen's dos and don’ts. When you leave, remind the older children or the babysitter to comply with these rules, to set an example for the toddlers, no matter how young they are. You can even implement low-cost DIY security measures for your whole home to prevent emergencies, like crime and accidents.
2. Have contingency plans for emergencies
Accidents happen all the time, even if you believe you’re well prepared to prevent them. When disaster strikes your family, you should know how to properly handle them.
For example, your kitchen should have its own first aid kit in an accessible place, and everyone in the family should know how to use it. Should your toddler or anyone else incur injuries, you will know how to provide first aid. The contact details of the Fire Department, nearest hospital, and police station should be placed prominently in your home for easy access in the event of an emergency.
3. Don’t leave your kids unattended
Lastly, an important part of protecting your children is making sure they are attended to at all times. Don’t leave them unsupervised, especially if they’re too small to understand what’s dangerous for them. Educate your older children to keep their little siblings safe with or without your presence and help.
Parents generally only want what’s best for their children. This includes a childhood free from harm or injury. The kitchen is one of the most dangerous rooms in the home, where accidents are waiting to happen.
Protect your children by implementing safe kitchen features for toddlers and having contingency plans when emergencies occur. What’s important is that you prepare your whole family for any emergency; so that all of you can react properly in the face of danger.
Author Bio: Patricia Evans
I am an Interior Designer, Residential Designer, Art Crafter, DIYer, and a full-time mother. I write about interior decorating, and I love working with shapes, shades, and spaces. I am also into green and simple living and enjoy cooking and having tea.
