How to Childproof Your Kitchen

A house should be safe and ready before a child is brought inside it. Household dangers that were not evident before may be life-threatening if a child has improper access to them. Here are some of the things to do to make the kitchen a safer place for your child.
1. Keep alcohol, soaps, detergents and other hazardous materials out of your child’s reach.
2. Put safety latches on cabinets or cupboards that can be reached by children. However, keep in mind that children may still find a way to open the doors, so it’s best to keep harp and heavy objects out of reach.
3. Place the easily-breakable items like chinaware out of reach as well.
4. When not in use, keep the appliances unplugged. Put the electrical cords out of reach as well.
5. When cooking, it’s best to use the back burners, and to turn the handles away from the edge of the counter.
6. Do not use tablecloths which can be reached by children. This can cause accidents, when the contents of the table are pulled along with the tablecloth.
7. Always secure the latches of dishwashers and compactors.
8. Keep a fire extinguisher ready to be used in the kitchen. However, remember to put it away from any heat source.
9. If you cannot avoid having your child with you while you are in the kitchen, place wooden and plastic utensils inside a cupboard that the child can reach. This will provide sufficient entertainment for the child while you are busy with chores.
10. Place a safety gate at the kitchen entrance so children cannot go there when you are not with them.