Child Proofing your Kitchen

[cappuccino]

Since families spend plenty of time in the kitchen, your child most likely will, too. Many dangers lurk in the average kitchen. To keep your baby safe, take the following steps.

Always store glasses and precious china in a lockable cabinet or up high and out of reach.

Keep knives and other sharp tools, such as electric mixer blades, in latched drawers.

Use safety latches on draws and doors where dangerous items are kept.

Never leave anything on the edge of a bench or table. As your child could easily pull it off.

Use the back rings on your cooker when cooking, but if you can't place the handles facing toward the back.

Install a fire extinguisher in the kitchen. But only attempt to extinguish a fire if it's small and contained. Otherwise, get your children out of the house and call the fire department from a neighbor's home.

Never leave children unattended on furniture or in high chairs.

Don't leave your baby alone in a highchair; always use all safety straps. This will prevent injuries and deaths from the baby climbing out, falling, or sliding under the tray.

Lock household cleaning products, knives, matches, and plastic bags away from children. This will prevent poisonings, bleeding injuries, burns, and suffocation.

All tablecloths should be secured to the table, so your child cannot pull anything off onto him/herself.

Keep rubbish bins locked, so that your baby does not have access to them.