Child Safety in the Kitchen
Use extreme caution when cooking while children are present. Children are unlikely to understand fully the fire danger in a kitchen. They can also cause distractions for the cook. Take proper precautions and routinely educate children on kitchen safety, by following these important steps:
Designate at least three square feet around the stove-top and oven into which children are not allowed to enter. Consider marking this area off with masking tape to create a visual reminder.
Always turn pot and panhandles so they don’t hang off the counter or stove-top. This helps prevent a child from accidentally bumping into or pulling down a hot pot or pan.
Store snacks or anything else a child may be attracted to far away from the stove-top and oven.
Do not leave potholders, towels or tablecloths hanging from an oven door handle or countertops as infants, toddlers and pets may pull on them.
Teach children which appliances get hot and why they should never touch them. This includes not touching any electrical wires.
Remind children that if a fire breaks out in the kitchen they should get an adult or call 911 and never attempt to put the fire out with water.
Don't forget to check out our poster contest for Fire Prevention Week on our Facebook Events Page!
