Bell Insurance Kitchen Safety Checklist

Kitchen Safety

Always turn pot handles away from the front of the stove so children cannot pull pots down on themselves.
Cook on back burners whenever possible to reduce risk of small children burning a curious hand.
While cooking, put babies or toddlers in a playpen where you can see them but where they cannot be splashed by hot grease, spilled foods or an overturned pot.
Never carry or hold hot liquids or foods near your child or while you are carrying or holding a child.
Put guards on stove controls, or remove stove knobs when not in use so children cannot turn on the stove by accident.
Keep all electric appliances away from the reach of children, fasten cords out of reach, and supervise children when there are appliances present.
Sharp knives should be kept in a locked drawer or cabinet out of children's sight and reach.
Lock all cabinets storing household cleaners, abrasives, products and toxins, and keep these products in their original, clearly-marked containers out of children's sight and reach.
Kitchen cabinets should be fastened with childproof latches (available in hardware stores) to keep children from toppling items onto themselves.
Secure unstable cabinets or shelves by bolting them to walls or floors.
Store plastic bags and plastic wrap out of children's reach -- they can easily suffocate in a matter of minutes.
Store sharp-edged aluminum foil dispensers, waxed paper and plastic wrap dispensers out of small children's reach.
Teach older children safe use of sharp knives, proper way to walk with them (points down) and always to wash, dry, and put sharp knives and other implements in locked drawers out of smaller siblings' reach.
Young children should be supervised by an adult when using a microwave. Do not allow children to heat jelly donuts or any liquids in the microwave - the centers can be scalding hot while the outside is cool to the touch.
Don't heat baby bottles or formula in the microwave. The center can be scalding while other parts are cool to the touch.
Remove tablecloths - children can pull everything onto their heads by yanking on the cloth.