The kitchen is full of potential hazards; it’s very easy to cut yourself, burn yourself or even start a house fire. Designing a kitchen requires even greater care if you have children. After all, their sense of danger isn’t always sufficient to prevent accidents, big or small. We’ve put together some tips for you; if you take them on board, you’ll be taking a big step towards prevention.
#1. Do not position the cooker directly next to a window
Why is this important? For example, when you’re airing the room, a draught can easily catch the curtain, and it could even catch fire if you’re not careful. We also do not recommend placing them near the entrance to the hallway, as the constant coming and going in the kitchen – just think of children playing tag – can lead to countless accidents: you might bump into a hot hob, spill boiling water on yourselves, and so on. It’s very easy to brush these risks aside, yet – particularly with children – an accident can happen in the blink of an eye.
#2. The floor must not be slippery
Is it no use telling the children not to run about the flat? Or to put on their slippers, which would protect them not only from the cold but also from slipping? The kitchen is a dangerous place in this respect, as it contains numerous sharp and hot objects. If the children come into contact with these, then unfortunately it’s not just bruises you’ll have to worry about! It’s best to choose a floor that isn’t slippery even in socks to begin with, but if an accident has already happened, lay down some non-slip mats.
#3. Pay attention to kitchen storage
Never leave knives or other kitchen utensils that could cause accidents on the kitchen worktop; always choose a drawer that your child cannot reach, even if they pull up a chair or a stool. It is also important to store cleaning products and other chemicals in a lockable cupboard wherever possible, and it is not a good idea to pour them into juice or soft drink bottles, as if children manage to get hold of them, they could come to serious harm.
#4. It also matters what sort of door it is
This applies, of course, not just to the kitchen but to every room: avoid glass-panelled doors. Although they can be very attractive, we might not even realise how many accidents such a choice could lead to. If your home does have a glass door, stick some safety film on it, as this will protect your little ones should they accidentally bump into it.
#5. What should we do about the tablecloth?
Can a tablecloth really be dangerous? Don’t worry, of course it’s not always the case. However, it’s best to avoid the kind that hangs down, as little ones love to grab hold of it and can pull the entire contents of the table onto themselves. Have you ever seen a little one who’s pulled a plate full of soup over themselves, with noodles hanging from their hair? We have. This can easily be sorted out with a wash of the hair, but if we’re unlucky, our carelessness can lead to even more serious mishaps.
And something we probably don’t even need to mention: don’t leave your children alone in the kitchen! The kitchen really is a place where there are far more dangers lurking for little ones than in any other room in the house. But be careful! Don’t make the kitchen off-limits to them; help them develop a love of cooking, but always be there by their side and teach them how to avoid dangerous situations.
