Baby proofing a home can seem quite complicated at first. As a professional baby proofer I would like to take you through the process of baby proofing one of the most complicated rooms, the kitchen.
My goal in having you follow me through this process is to arm you with knowledge so that you can approach the rest of your home with a method that will provide the greatest safety to your toddler.
The kitchen should be an "off limit" area while the cooking is taking place. Tripping over the baby with a knife in your hand or a pot full of boiling pasta is a formula for disaster. Keeping this in mind, access is the first thing to consider.
Baby gates are the first line of protection to keep the toddler out of the kitchen during the necessary times. Pressure gates work well in this application since they can be completely removed allowing easy unobstructed access. If you have a large open access between the family room and kitchen there are gates designed for wide opening applications.
At some point the toddler will wind up in the kitchen so here are the things I do to make the kitchen as safe as possible.
Lower drawers and cabinets should be latched. Latch the uppers in earthquake prone areas as well.
There are specialty latches and locks for your oven, refrigerator and dishwasher. Keep all knives and forks that are in the dishwasher pointed down.
Is there a door from your kitchen leading outside or to the garage? A flip latch will prevent the toddler from escaping out the door. The door stop should be the solid type without the little rubber cap that toddlers like to remove and put into their mouths.
Trash cans should be in a latched cabinet or have a locking lid. Cleaning chemicals should be out of reach in a latched cabinet or upper cabinet.
Counter top appliances such as toasters, blenders and such should be as far back on the counter as possible with the cords out of reach of the toddler. The knife block should be out of reach as well.
If your kitchen table has sharp edges or corners, pad them to prevent accidents.Tablecloths & runners are easily pulled landing everything on top of the baby, so remove the cloth or remove all objects on the cloth. Top heavy chairs and bar stools that toddlers can easily tip over onto themselves should be removed.
Test all GFCI outlets to assure that they are in proper working order. Use outlet slide covers on all non GFCI outlets.
Choking hazards such as dog kibble should never be left on the kitchen floor. Dog water bowls create another hazard and should be kept away from the toddler. Refrigerator magnets can fall off and become a choking hazard
Any windows that open vertically should be protected in such a way that toddlers cannot pull the window down on to their fingers. Window blind cords should be wrapped up high out of reach.
While cooking, use the back burners and keep pot and pan handles facing toward the back of the range. Never let children play with pots and pans - they will view them as toys and may try to touch them when they are in use. Some of the new ranges have safety locks built-in, if yours does not, you can protect the range knobs with Knob Covers to prevent them from being turned on by the toddler.
Any free-standing furniture should be secured to the wall to prevent it from being tipped over.
Always keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen within easy access.
Step stools should never be left out unattended.
The approach used above should help you determine what baby safety products and procedures are needed as you access each room in your home.
As always, please remember: Baby Proofing provides and additional element of safety - There is no substitute for adult supervision!
