Kitchen Safety

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

28 Jan 2009 12:45 PM

The kitchen is a room that most families spend a lot of time in, cooking and cleaning up. In some homes it is actually the heart of family living. Because so much time is spent in the kitchen, it is where many accidents occur. When babies and small children are involved, kitchen hazards can be devastating. While most people put chemicals out of reach and install a stove guard, there are other hazards lurking in the kitchen. Here are some tips on how to keep your kitchen safe, including some areas that are usually overlooked.

Trash

With small children, trash should not be accessible. Bacteria in the trash could cause illness. Keep trash cans or cabinets containing trash cans locked. If there is a sharp object, such as a broken glass, to be put into the trash, secure it in a box and remove it from your home right away.

Small appliances

Small appliances, such as toasters, coffee makers, food processors, etc., that are on the counter should be placed against the wall to keep them out of reach of children. In addition, keep small appliances unplugged when not in use and make sure the cords are not sticking out.

Refrigerators

Remove all small magnets that could be grabbed by a child and swallowed. If you have to have magnet letters or toys, they should be large with the magnets firmly sealed inside. If your refrigerator has an alarm function, take advantage of it. It will tell you when the fridge has been opened for a certain length of time. Some preschoolers are surprisingly strong.

Dishwasher

If you dishwaher doesn't have a lock feature, install a child proof lock made especially for the purpse. Beside the danger of getting fingers caught in the door, between the racks or near the agitation equipment, there may be knives, dishes and glasses that could also cause hazards.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here or subscribe to the blog using the subscription box on the right.

Related Articles:

Safety Alert! Traces of Melamine in U.S. Formula

Bargain Kitchen Disinfecting

Redoing the Kitchen: Flooring Choices

Vicks VapoRub May Make Children Sicker

Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger