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Overview:
This project will show you how to childproof your kitchen. Keeping their child safe is every parent's priority. And, as any parent knows, it's amazing what kids can get into. Taking a few minutes to childproof your kitchen can prevent accidents and make your home safer. Of course, there's no substitute for supervision and you should review your childproofing measures every six months to make sure your child hasn't outgrown or outsmarted them!
Materials:
safety latches for cupboards, safety gate for kitchen doorway
Tools You'll Need:
30-pc. toolkit
Barbara's Tips:
To keep your child busy while you're working in the kitchen, fill a low cupboard or drawer with harmless items for them to explore. Wooden spoons, plastic containers with lids, plastic plates and cups and small lightweight sauce pans can provide safe kitchen fun.
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Step 1: Take a Survey
Study your kitchen from a child's perspective. Get down on your hands and knees, check for sharp edges, items at the edge of a counter or tablecloths that can be pulled off the table (along with anything that might be resting on top of them!). Count the number of cabinet doors at low levels as well as any electrical outlets on the lower part of the walls or baseboards.
Step 2: Make it Safe
- Work your way around the room methodically, beginning in one corner.
- Install safety latches on all cabinet doors within a child's reach.
- Don't expect that latches will be perfectly childproof, store sharp items such as knives or scissors out of a child's reach.
- Store hazardous cleaning items, soaps and detergents out of reach.
- Use back burners when cooking turn pot handles away from the counter or stove edge.
- Use stove covers to cover burners when not in use.
- Leave appliances, such as toasters, blenders, can-openers, unplugged when not in use.
Step 3: Make it Safe, cont.
- Always put an iron away when not in use. Do not leave it on the ironing board. It's not only hot, it's heavy!
- Keep hot drinks away from children set your water temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or below or use anti-scalding devices.
- Remove tablecloths, which can be pulled down, along with anything on them.
- Always latch trash compactors and dishwasher.
- Keep ladders and step stools away from the counters to limit exploration.
- Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
- Make sure the trashcan has a lid and is inaccessible.
- Use a safety gate to keep kids out of the kitchen when you are not there.
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