Safety Moment #2: Kids in the Kitchen

Whenever we have kids visiting us, I have one eye on them…. perhaps I'm more watchful than their parents are since my house is not exactly child friendly. There are many artifacts, curios and the like which entice the little ones. The little ones even think that my glass topped centre table is the perfect surface to bang on! No, I'm not having any of that from them, nor will I let them eat my house plants! Which is why I have an eye on their innocent (?) activities. As a child's mobility and curiosity increases, appropriate supervision becomes essential. Involving children in our daily activities allows them to learn new things and also teaches them method, neatness and safety.

The focus of the Safety Moment this May is on Kids in the Kitchen. The sheer pleasure of kids helping in the kitchen is incomparable. Meeta is guest-hosting this event at The Daily Tiffin. Here are some pointers from my end, all researched from the internet and just plain common sense.

Keep all hot items at a safe distance from a child.

Remove tablecloths and placemats when toddlers are present. They can tug and pull on everything within their reach. Hot or heavy items can be easily pulled on top of them.

Keep children and pets away from the range when anyone is cooking and keep a close eye on them at all times.

An oven door can get hot enough to burn a youngster who might fall or lean against it. It can be particularly dangerous for a child just learning to walk who may use the door for support; the child is often unable to let go before suffering a burn. Keep small children out of the kitchen when the oven is in use.

Keep hot items, such as hot beverages and trays that have just come out of the oven away from the edge of counters, so that children are not able to reach them.

Always turn pot handles inward to prevent small children from reaching and pulling down a hot pan.

Don't store cookies, candies, chocolates or other treats near the stove. It might tempt little children to climb on the stove to reach them.

Children who are permitted to operate the microwave oven should be tall enough to be able to safely remove items from the oven. One major risk is facial burns, which occur among children whose height puts their face at the level of the heating chamber of the microwave oven.

Be sure children are old enough to understand the safe use of the microwave oven before allowing them to heat foods. Young children may not be able to read and follow directions and are at a higher risk potential than older children. Their height is also an important factor.

Remember, continuous and adequate supervision of children in the kitchen is of prime importance.

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