Kitchen Safety with Children

The kitchen is often called the heart of the home, but it's also the most dangerous room for young children. Burns, cuts, poisoning, and falls all commonly occur in kitchens. With some planning and vigilance, you can create a safer kitchen while still involving your child in cooking and family activities.

Understanding Kitchen Hazards AAP

Kitchens contain an extraordinary concentration of hazards for young children.

Types of kitchen injuries:

Burns and scalds (most common):

• Hot stove, oven, and cooktop surfaces
• Hot liquids (coffee, soup, boiling water)
• Steam from cooking or microwave
• Hot food
• Hot pots and pans

Poisoning:

• Cleaning supplies under the sink
• Dishwasher pods (highly concentrated)
• Vitamins and medications stored in kitchen
• Alcohol
• Some foods (raw honey for babies, choking hazards)

Cuts:

• Knives and sharp utensils
• Broken glass
• Can lids
• Food processor and blender blades

Falls:

• Wet or slippery floors
• Climbing on counters or chairs
• Tripping over objects or pets

Other hazards:

• Electrical appliances
• Garbage disposal
• Heavy objects falling
• Strangulation from apron strings or towels

Burn Prevention: The Top Priority Safe Kids

Burns are the most common and often most serious kitchen injury in children.

Stove and cooktop safety:

• Use back burners whenever possible
• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove
• Install stove knob covers or remove knobs
• Consider a stove guard (barrier around burners)
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Don't cook while holding your baby

Hot liquid safety:

• Keep hot drinks away from table edges
• Don't use tablecloths (children pull them down)
• Turn cup handles away from edge
• Wait for food to cool before serving
• Test heated baby food before feeding
• Be aware of steam from microwave containers

Oven safety:

• Install an oven lock
• Teach "hot" from an early age
• Don't let children near open oven door
• Use back racks when possible
• Be careful removing hot pans—children appear suddenly

Microwave safety:

• Stir and test microwaved food thoroughly
• Be aware of hot spots in food
• Be careful of steam when opening containers
• Keep microwave at adult height if possible

Appliance safety:

• Keep toasters, coffee makers, and other heat-producing appliances pushed back
• Unplug appliances when not in use
• Don't let cords dangle where children can pull them
• Store appliances out of reach when possible

Cabinet and Storage Safety AAP

What and how you store things matters for child safety.

Under-sink storage:

• Install childproof locks on all cabinets with hazardous items
• Store cleaning supplies out of reach or in locked cabinets
• Keep items in original containers with labels
• Consider moving dangerous items to higher cabinets

Dishwasher safety:

• Install a dishwasher lock
• Store dishwasher pods out of reach (they look like candy)
• Load sharp knives point-down
• Don't let children play with or climb on open dishwasher door

Refrigerator/freezer:

• Consider an appliance lock if child opens constantly
• Store alcohol out of reach
• Keep small items (grapes, cherry tomatoes) where toddler can't access
• Be aware of heavy items that could fall

Pantry:

• Store vitamins and medications out of reach
• Keep choking hazard foods (nuts, popcorn, hard candy) up high
• Be aware of heavy items on high shelves

Creating Safe Kitchen Zones

Danger zone (keep children out):

• Area immediately around stove while cooking
• Near hot appliances in use
• Near open oven door
• Where you're using sharp knives

How to keep children out of danger zones:

• Use safety gates to block kitchen entirely during intense cooking
• Create a "kid zone" away from cooking area
• Use a high chair or activity center during cooking
• Ask another adult to watch child during meal prep

Supervised involvement zone:

• Areas where children can safely participate
• Counter space away from stove
• Table for mixing and measuring
• Space for observing at safe distance

Safe Cooking with Children Around Safe Kids

You don't have to ban children from the kitchen entirely—just be strategic.

Strategies for cooking with young children nearby:

• Cook during naps when possible
• Use slow cooker or instant pot (safer than stovetop)
• Prep ingredients in advance when child is occupied
• Have a safe activity ready for child during stove work
• Consider a toddler tower (with supervision) at safe counter area

Age-appropriate involvement:

Babies (0-1):

• Keep in high chair or bouncer at safe distance
• Talk to them about what you're doing
• Let them see and smell safe ingredients

Toddlers (1-3):

• Tear lettuce, wash vegetables
• Stir cold ingredients
• Pour measured ingredients
• Play with measuring cups and spoons
• Always supervised, always away from heat

Preschoolers (3-5):

• More complex tasks with supervision
• Spread soft foods
• Crack eggs (with practice)
• Use cookie cutters
• Pour liquids
• Still no hot surfaces or sharp knives

Cleaning Products and Poison Prevention Poison Control

The kitchen often houses the home's most toxic products.

Safe storage:

• All cleaning products in locked cabinets
• Keep in original labeled containers
• Never put chemicals in food containers
• Store separately from food

Especially dangerous:

• Dishwasher pods (look appealing, highly concentrated)
• Oven cleaners (caustic)
• Drain cleaners (extremely dangerous)
• Garbage disposal cleaners
• Furniture polish

Safer alternatives:

• Consider less toxic cleaning products
• Vinegar and baking soda for many tasks
• Store any cleaning product securely regardless of "safety"

Kitchen Layout and Organization

Floor safety:

• Clean up spills immediately
• Use non-slip rugs (or no rugs)
• Keep floor clear of toys and clutter
• Be aware of pets underfoot

Counter safety:

• Keep counters clear of dangerous items
• Push appliances to the back
• Don't leave knives on counters
• Be aware of what child can reach standing on chair

Traffic flow:

• Think about paths through kitchen
• Create safe routes that avoid stove area
• Keep cooking zones separate from play areas

Emergency Preparedness

For burns:

• Run cool (not cold) water over burn for 10-20 minutes
• Don't use butter, ice, or home remedies
• Cover loosely with clean cloth
• Seek medical attention for serious burns

For poisoning:

• Call Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
• Have product container available for information
• Follow their instructions

For cuts:

• Apply pressure with clean cloth
• Elevate if possible
• Seek medical attention for deep cuts

Keep handy:

• First aid kit in kitchen
• Poison Control number posted
• Fire extinguisher accessible

Teaching Kitchen Safety

Start early with simple concepts:

• "Hot!"—teach this word and concept early
• "Sharp"—point out knives and say "sharp, not safe"
• Model safe behavior
• Praise safe choices

Rules to establish:

• No running in the kitchen
• Ask before touching anything
• Stay away from stove when cooking
• Sit properly at table
• Tell adult about spills

The Bottom Line

Kitchen safety requires ongoing vigilance, not just one-time childproofing. Use back burners and turn pot handles in, lock cabinets with hazardous items, and create safe zones for children while cooking. With planning, you can keep your child safe while still enjoying family time in the kitchen.

Clara can help you create a safer kitchen for your family!