7 Ways to Keep Your Kids Safe in the Kitchen
If you have small hands helping you in the kitchen like I do, keeping your kids safe in the kitchen is always on your mind. Now that my five-year-old is getting more interested in helping out with cooking and baking, I see seemingly endless ways for her to get into trouble in the kitchen.
When she was very little, it was easy – keep things out of reach, use the back burner on the stove, keep her in the high chair or play pen, and work quickly. Now that she wants to help, and little sister is always around, it raises the difficulty level… and my stress level.
Set the Ground Rules
My older daughter has been helping me in the kitchen in some way for a while now. I’m a big fan of this – she is more likely to eat what she’s helped make (sometimes, anyway). As she learns more kitchen skills, we are building on that safety foundation. For example, she knows not to go near the hot stove or oven, and to ask whether something is hot before she touches it. And she knows better than to pick up sharp knives, though she can use butter knives now for spreading and cutting soft foods.
Before we begin any new cooking project, we review the ground rules and decide what parts she will be responsible for (measuring, pouring, hand mixing) and what parts I will handle (electric mixing, cutting with sharp knives, handling the oven).
My List of 7 Ways to Keep Your Kids Safe in the Kitchen
This list is primarily for the preschool and under set. My kids are currently in the stage where they can help with things away from the stove and oven. As they get older, the list of safety rules will grow as they take on more responsibilities, such as stirring things on the stove and chopping vegetables.
This list is not all-inclusive, but it does highlight 7 of the key things I talk about with my kids and watch out for. As with anything parenting, use your best judgement based on the age and maturity of your child(ren).
Without further ado…
- Turn all pot handles toward the back of the stove. Even better if you can use the back burners too.
- Keep sharp knives away from the counter edge and out of reach of small curious fingers.
- Have young helpers stand on a sturdy stool or chair that lets them be close to the counter and tall enough to reach.
- Remind them to wash hands before beginning.
- Practice washing hands after touching raw meat, poultry, or egg.
- Remind them that sharp knives and stovetop tasks are for grown ups.
- When using an electric mixer, tie long hair back so it doesn’t get caught.
These are 7 ways to keep your kids safe in the kitchen. What other safety rules do you follow in the kitchen with your kids?