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Kitchen Safety for Toddlers

 

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toddler and older girl playing with oranges

 

The kitchen is a fun and interesting place for a curious toddler but - like other parts of your home, it also has hidden dangers.

Look around and make sure your kitchen has been childproofed. Here’s some advice.


Supervise your toddler at all times while in the kitchen, and keep harmful items away from busy little hands. Have a kitchen cupboard (away from the stove) with safe items for your toddler to explore. Pots and pan, wooden spoons, non-breakable measuring cups and plastic containers are great things to explore.  It's also good to:

  • Turn pot handles toward the back or middle of the stove, not over another element.
  • Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Keep it near a door to the outside so you can use it and leave if necessary.
  • Use the back burners of the stove for high temperatures and the front burners for lower temperatures. It’s even better if you try to cook using only the back burners.
  • Keep hot oil out of reach and make sure it cannot splash or spill onto your toddler.
  • Teach your toddler that the area in front of the stove is off limits as a play area.
  • Wipe up spills quickly. 
  • Unplug and keep small appliances out of reach. Never allow appliance cords to dangle over the edge of the counter where your toddler can grab them. 
  • Keep knives, forks, scissors, and other sharp tools separate from “safe” kitchen utensils, and in a latched drawer. 
  • Keep foods that could cause choking, such as beans, carrots or nuts, out of reach.
  • Use placemats instead of tablecloths. Children can pull on tablecloths causing hot food and drinks to fall. 
  • Keep the dishwasher locked and the soap container empty until ready for use.
  • If you have a chest freezer, keep it locked or in a locked room to prevent your toddler from falling in. Keep the key out of reach. 
  • Store cleaners or any other harmful materials out of reach and locked away.
  • Install childproof latches on kitchen cupboards and drawers so your toddler can’t open them.
Last Updated: August 10, 2013