There are many hazards in the kitchen that adults fall prey to. Water on the floor causes people to slip and fall, hot surfaces can cause severe burns, and knives can cause injuries. With all these, it may seem like the best course of action is to keep your kids away from the kitchen to keep them safe. But if your child doesn’t know how to cook, they won’t be prepared for adulthood because they won’t be able to feed themselves. Here are some kitchen hazards that you should definitely teach your children about.
Fires
Fires are a hazard when working around heat sources, but this is especially true when working around heat sources with oils like one does when cooking. Your children need to understand the fire hazards in the kitchen and how to prevent fires. For example, your young children should be kept away from the stove and oven while they are in use. As they grow older, teach them to not pour water on a grease fire, how to keep flammable items away from the stove, and how to use the fire extinguisher. They should also know how to prevent fires by making sure to always set a timer whenever they use the oven and to never leave the house if something is cooking.
Carbon Monoxide
If you have a gas stove, carbon monoxide is also a hazard that your children should be aware of. Firefighters recommend having a carbon monoxide detector in every room. This is especially true in the kitchen. If there isn’t a proper ventilation system, carbon monoxide can build up until it causes headaches, dizziness and fatigue, and possibly lead to explosions in the kitchen. To be on the safe side, if you have a gas stove, have it regularly checked for proper gas ventilation.
Sharp Objects
Learning and teaching proper knife safety techniques can help save your children’s fingers. When your children have reached an age where you feel comfortable with them using knives, start them off with plastic knives and gradually build them up to stainless steel knives. Teaching knife safety and allowing children to practice under your supervision will help them be cautious with knives in the kitchen.
There are many more hazards in the kitchen to be aware of. However, the best safeguard against hazards in the kitchen is to teach caution to your children so they can be safe.
Here’s another article you might like: Spice Up Your Home Cooking with These 5 Exciting Herbs!
