However, there are certain changes you can make that will make your kitchen a lot safer for your children. Read on for a few tips on child-proofing your kitchen, then talk to an expert in kitchen remodeling in Westchester for help getting these renovations done.
Fires and burns are the number-one cause of accidental child death in the home for kids under the age of 15, and the majority of the burns and fires are caused in the kitchen. The highest percentage of these injuries is seen in children under the age of two, and is often caused by them reaching up and knocking something off the stove burner or starting up the stove unsupervised.
You can do simple things on your own to reduce these hazards, such as using the back burners of the stove and turning pot handles inwards so children can't reach them. However, upgrading to the right stove can make a big difference too. Look for models that have the knobs for the burners on the back of the stove, near the oven timer. This prevents children from turning on the burners on their own. You should also consider getting a flat-top electric stove, as they don't have an open flame or exposed coil.
Children are curious, and they will open any doors or drawers they can get their hands on, and that includes the places where you store heavy or sharp kitchen instruments. Have cabinet and drawer locks installed to prevent your children from getting into these areas without your supervision. You should also consider safe-close drawers and cupboards. These designs prevent drawers and cupboard doors from slamming shut on little fingers.
You should also consider installing similar latches on your oven and dishwasher doors. If a child gets into these areas, they can receive serious burns. If you don't have models that latch on their own, put on some kind of lock yourself.
The outlets in your kitchen are probably used pretty frequently, and it wouldn't be that big of a surprise if you forgot to put the outlet cover back on after putting your electric mixer away. But an open outlet within reach of a curious child can be a disaster waiting to happen. Consider having your kitchen remodel include higher outlets. You can have them installed on the underside of your cabinets, or even have them installed inside of a cabinet so your child can't get to them.
Even if your drawers have locks on them, there is the chance that your kid will figure out how to work that lock when you're not watching. Install smart storage options to keep dangerous items out of your child's reach, but easily accessible to you. This could include a knife rack inside of a high cupboard or similar options.
Of course, there are some thing that you do want your kid to have access to in the kitchen, such as their cups or favorite snacks. You can have a special cupboard installed just for them and their favorite items. This allows them to help themselves to the things they want without having to get into an area where dangerous or breakable items might be.
A specialist in kitchen remodeling in Westchester can work with you to design and install a kid-friendly kitchen that will keep your children safe.
The Right Stove
Fires and burns are the number-one cause of accidental child death in the home for kids under the age of 15, and the majority of the burns and fires are caused in the kitchen. The highest percentage of these injuries is seen in children under the age of two, and is often caused by them reaching up and knocking something off the stove burner or starting up the stove unsupervised.
You can do simple things on your own to reduce these hazards, such as using the back burners of the stove and turning pot handles inwards so children can't reach them. However, upgrading to the right stove can make a big difference too. Look for models that have the knobs for the burners on the back of the stove, near the oven timer. This prevents children from turning on the burners on their own. You should also consider getting a flat-top electric stove, as they don't have an open flame or exposed coil.
Safe Cupboards and Drawers
Children are curious, and they will open any doors or drawers they can get their hands on, and that includes the places where you store heavy or sharp kitchen instruments. Have cabinet and drawer locks installed to prevent your children from getting into these areas without your supervision. You should also consider safe-close drawers and cupboards. These designs prevent drawers and cupboard doors from slamming shut on little fingers.
You should also consider installing similar latches on your oven and dishwasher doors. If a child gets into these areas, they can receive serious burns. If you don't have models that latch on their own, put on some kind of lock yourself.
Electrical Outlets
The outlets in your kitchen are probably used pretty frequently, and it wouldn't be that big of a surprise if you forgot to put the outlet cover back on after putting your electric mixer away. But an open outlet within reach of a curious child can be a disaster waiting to happen. Consider having your kitchen remodel include higher outlets. You can have them installed on the underside of your cabinets, or even have them installed inside of a cabinet so your child can't get to them.
Smart Storage
Even if your drawers have locks on them, there is the chance that your kid will figure out how to work that lock when you're not watching. Install smart storage options to keep dangerous items out of your child's reach, but easily accessible to you. This could include a knife rack inside of a high cupboard or similar options.
Of course, there are some thing that you do want your kid to have access to in the kitchen, such as their cups or favorite snacks. You can have a special cupboard installed just for them and their favorite items. This allows them to help themselves to the things they want without having to get into an area where dangerous or breakable items might be.
A specialist in kitchen remodeling in Westchester can work with you to design and install a kid-friendly kitchen that will keep your children safe.
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