Kitchen Safety for Kids
Most children love to help their parents in the kitchen, especially when they’re presented with delicious end results that they’ve had a part in creating. It’s true… your children will be more likely to try and enjoy new foods if they take an active role in making meals. However, it’s extremely important to make sure that your children observe the safety rules of the kitchen – a trip to the emergency room is never a welcome excursion. Follow these helpful tips for keeping your children involved and excited about learning to cook while keeping them safe.
Give Your Kids the Guided Tour
Before you allow your children to help you in the kitchen, give them a full tour of the room and let them know which objects are safe and which are not. Explain where the stove gets hot, what the oven does, and what items are put in the refrigerator or freezer. Show them which appliances should never be touched without permission. Indicate which items need to be kept away from water, such as toasters and other small appliances.
Pay Attention
Supervision is key when your children are in the kitchen, especially when they are younger. Never leave a child alone in the kitchen – even to take a bathroom break or answer a phone call. It’s better to turn off a burner or sacrifice your creation than to risk a serious injury. Handles not turned inward can cause spills, pots can boil over, food can burn or smoke, and slips or falls can happen quickly. Most accidents are prevented by being aware of your surroundings and your child’s activities.
Teach Food Safety
Instruct your children to never eat raw meats, poultry, eggs, or cookie batter. Wash all surfaces touched by raw meats thoroughly and explain why it’s necessary. Keep raw and cooked foods separate. Never place cooked food on a plate that held raw food unless it has been washed. Wash hands frequently to prevent cross-contamination. Explain why tools or fingers shouldn’t be licked during prep — and model good behavior yourself!
Show AND Tell
When it comes to operating kitchen tools, don’t assume children know how they’re used. Demonstrate everything clearly. Start with simple, safe tools like mixing spoons, sifters, and ice cream scoops. Only move toward more advanced tools once your child has shown ability and responsibility. Sharp knives and electric appliances should never be used by young children, and older children should be supervised closely. Knives and glassware should never be placed in sinks full of water, where they can cause cuts.
Dress the Part
Encourage children to wear aprons to protect their clothing and themselves. Make sure sleeves are short or rolled up to prevent them from catching fire or touching hot surfaces. Safety comes first!
Fire Safety
Make sure children always use hot pads or oven mitts — never towels. Teach them where the fire extinguisher is kept and how to use it. Show them how to put out a grease fire and how to call 911. Remind them to never put metal in the microwave.
Clean Up Your Act
Teach children to “clean as they go” — wash mixing bowls while cookies bake, or load the dishwasher while water boils. This speeds cleanup and improves safety. Show them how to properly clean cutting boards and emphasize replacing towels and sponges regularly. Keep pets out of the kitchen while cooking to avoid contamination and tripping hazards.
Tackle Basic First Aid
Accidents will happen — don’t panic. Keep your child calm and explain how to treat small burns or cuts. If the injury is more serious, call 911 or visit urgent care immediately. Staying calm helps your child learn to stay calm as well.
Most importantly, be patient. Sure, cooking goes faster without little helpers underfoot — but guiding children through the joy of preparing meals builds skills and memories that will last a lifetime. And when you’re enjoying your beautiful kitchen in your new Ernest home, these moments become even sweeter. Explore our family-friendly floor plans designed with spacious kitchens perfect for cooking together.
