The kitchen is one of the most dangerous places for a baby or toddler. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers these tips on making sure your kitchen is babyproof.
(1) The safest way to prevent injury is to watch your child. Since this is generally not possible while you are trying to prepare dinner, use a playpen, highchair or other stationary activity center to keep your little one at bay. But never use a walker because it could put your child at greater risk for injury.
(2) When cooking, use back burners and if you have to use the front ones make sure the handles are turned away so that your child cannot grab them.
(3) Avoid leaving a hot oven door open and make sure you turn off all burners and the oven when not in use.
(4) If you have to walk with a cup of hot liquid in your hands make sure you know exactly where your child is so that you don’t trip over them. It’s also not a good idea to hold a baby in your lap while you are drinking a hot beverage. You also want to place all hot beverages and food away from the edge of the table or counter. Placemats are also a danger because toddlers tend to pull them down and the hot food right along with it.
(5) Keep all kitchen appliances out of the reach of kids and avoid letting the cord dangle where they can easily reach them and pull on them.
(6) Test all food cooked or warmed in the microwave before feeding it to your child and don’t warm a baby bottle in the microwave.
Finally, if the unthinkable happens and your child is burned, run the injury under cool water to bring the temperature down and ease the pain. Don’t apply things like butter, grease or powder on a burn, no matter what old wives’ tale you’ve heard. If the burn is oozing you should apply gauze and then see your child’s doctor pronto.