Safety is always a concern when little ones are present in a home. Kitchens and bathrooms usually pose the most risk for mischief and injury. This week, let's look at a few ways to childproof your kitchen. No matter how well you supervise children in your home, it only takes a split second of having your back turned for an accident to occur. In any given kitchen, you'll find fire, heat, toxins, and sharp tools. Since this room is the one where families spend a lot of their time (whether eating, working, socializing, or just hanging out), it's imperative to take certain steps to ensure the safety of your little ones. 
The key to babyproofing is organization! When everything is in its place, and everyone knows what goes where, it's easier for little ones to understand which areas are dangerous. Here are a few organization tips to help you keep your kiddos safe.
- Keep small items out of babies' reach. Don't leave items on counters or tables that could be potential choking hazard; put them in a designated drawer or cabinet. Take small magnets off the fridge. As a rule, anything that can fit inside an empty toilet paper roll is considered a choking hazard.
- Stow small appliances (mixer, toaster, can opener, etc.) in a cabinet or pantry. While it can be annoying to have to take them out every time you need them, it's worth knowing that your young ones can't get to them.
- Designate a special place for trash. It might not occur to you that a trash can could pose a threat. Think about building a slide-out cabinet to house your trash can, or simply keep it under the kitchen sink.
- To organize sharp tools, install a magnetic strip in a high place above the stove or counter. It's a great way to keep knives out of reach and have them close to your food prep area and allows you to keep tabs on them at all times.
- As pretty as they might look, even tablecloths and runners pose a risk. Toddlers are known for yanking on hanging items! One tug on a tablecloth, and a heavy object or hot liquid could come tumbling down. Keep the temptation away by stowing table linens when not in immediate use.
- Store potentially toxic or harmful substances together on a high shelf in a locking/latched cabinet or pantry.
Safety epuipment doesn't have to be an eyesore. Two basic babyproofing tools that are at the top of most parents' lists are latches and baby gates. But some people consider these tools unsightly and sometimes confusing. These days, though, there are a lot more options for safety features than there were in the past. Latches, which go on doors, cabinets, and drawers, come in lots of different styles and colors. There are even choices that will match your stainless steel appliances. Just like latches, safety gates don't have to be ugly and cumbersome. There are tons of sleeker options these days, including custom styles. If you still don't like the idea of gates and don't have an open kitchen, consider going with custom dutch doors.
Prevention is the best remedy for home injuries, but they do happen from time to time. Knowing in advance what to do when an accident occurs is important. Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen at all times, and make sure family members and visitors know where it is. Have a first aid kit in a kitchen drawer; it should include items like bandages, ointments, rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, tweezers, etc. Last, designate an area for emergency phone numbers, preferably one that can be seen at a quick glance. Doing so can help keep panic to a minimum if an accident does occur.
Do you have any other babyproofing tips to share? Let us know in the comments below!
