By Ann Martin

Your kitchen is a place of primary importance in the home, and while you certainly want to share that space with your little one, worry is inevitable, as there are so many opportunities for injury. Banish your fears with these child-proofing tips that will keep the whole family – and your kitchen, happy.

Counters Clean, Cords Away
Keep your countertops as clear as possible. This means storing items that a child could potentially reach and pull down on top of his or her self, or become injured by. So stow away that new knife set, lock up your decorative dinnerware, and keep all mugs of hot coffee further back than little hands can reach. Likewise, make sure all items that use a plug-in cord are unplugged and stored up high when not in use, such as your toaster oven, blender, or food processor. You’ll also want to make sure that trash and recycling bins are tucked away, out of sight.

Clearing Chemicals
Keep all dishwashing soaps, drain cleaner, and other toxic chemicals in a safe, out of reach spot – secured in such a way that your child has no way of grabbing at them. Refrain from storing any of these chemicals under your kitchen sink, and place them in an out of reach spot that is still convenient to you. When you are using a particular cleaning agent to make your kitchen sparkle, be sure to put it back up in the cabinet immediately, after use. Curious toddlers can be surprisingly quick, and you don’t want harmful chemicals falling into the wrong hands.

Latch it Up
There are a variety of latches and locks that can be used on your kitchen cabinets and other household items. Find a latch or lock that you feel comfortable operating, and make sure that any cabinet or appliance below waist level, is secure. Lock up your heavy copper cookware, latch that swinging oven door, dishwasher, and refrigerator. Test the latches a few times before attaching!

Conscious Cooking
Make sure your toddler or baby is never sitting on the floor too near you when you are at the stove or oven. Secure the child behind a baby gate or in a high chair. Be sure that when using a stove top, handles are turned away from you, and are no where within the baby’s reach. Teach your child that this area is off limits to him or her, though there are other areas of the kitchen you can explore together.

Guided Exploration
Speaking of exploring together, why not designate one cabinet without a latch where you can store items like plastic cups, bowls, Tupperware, wooden spoons, and other safe kitchen tools that your child can explore safely, under your watchful eye? This will give them the opportunity to “help mommy,” without endangering their safety.

Ann Martin is a freelance writer and artist who enjoys writing for a variety of entertaining websites, and also enjoys collecting decorative pieces for her own kitchen, such as recent additions, Noritake Colorwave Graphite, and Noritake Colorwave Blue. In her spare time, Ann enjoys cooking, organizing, and being outside in this great summer weather!