A kitchen should be family-friendly and designed in a way that makes it safe for the home's younger inhabitants who often keep you company in the kitchen while you prepare meals.
When children learn to walk they are enthusiastic to explore the world around them and there are very few things that can keep them still! The only way to ensure your little ones stay safe in the kitchen is to fit various attachments to prevent potential accidents.
Corner protectors and cupboard latches make sharp edges safe
When children learn to walk they are enthusiastic to explore the world around them and there are very few things that can keep them still! The only way to ensure your little ones stay safe in the kitchen is to fit various attachments to prevent potential accidents. To protect your child from sharp corners, one of the major dangers in the home, you can fit corner protectors: these attachments are made out of a soft transparent plastic and are fitted to the edges and corners of furniture using bioadhesive tape.
Dressers and drawers where detergents and sharp objects such as knives are kept can also pose a risk, but there are solutions for these too. Cupboard or drawer safety latches can be fitted to most furniture with knobs or handles. Another great idea is doorstops; propping open doors prevents little ones from trapping fingers. All the accessories and attachments can be found in hardware shops or homeware shops and shopping outlets. If you want to use rugs in your kitchen you should choose the anti-slip kind to reduce the risk of stumbling or slipping.
Ovens and hob safety
The cooking area should be the first area that is made safe because it is at child-height. To prevent little ones reaching their hands towards the hob and burning themselves always keep pan handles turned to the back of the hob. You may wish to install a hob grill to prevent children being able to reach the hot surface and burn their hands.
Rules to remember
In addition to the technical solutions above you can keep your children safe by following a few simple rules: - put away all detergents and hazardous substances in cupboards that are out of reach of children and always leave them in their original packaging to avoid any confusion; - if you spill something, dry the floor immediately to prevent the floor from becoming slippery and dangerous; - take care in terms of what you leave unattended on the table or work surface: matches, lighters, detergents, hot pans and anything else that can be touched or moved by a child poses a danger!
Kids' corner
When planning your kitchen it is a good idea is to set aside a small corner for toys, colouring books, pencils and your children's other bits and pieces.
This way, children will know where their toys and games are and they won't have to move about so much in the kitchen and risk encountering a hazard.
