From heating elements to plumbing fixtures, your kitchen is a hot spot for child hazards. Luckily, you can ensure the space is safe for your little one by childproofing these appliances before your child becomes mobile. Use the following guide to revamp your cooking space with a toddler in mind.

How to Childproof Your Kitchen

1. Oven & Stovetop

While cooking, use the back burners and stand next to boiling pots to keep your kids safe. It’s when the appliances are unmanned that your child is most at risk. To keep them from turning on the burners themselves, place childproof covers on the stove knobs. Then, install a stove guard to block your child’s fingers from touching the burners when they’re in use. To prevent your baby from opening the oven door, add a lock to the handle of the appliance.

2. Refrigerator & Freezer

When your child starts crawling and walking, they might be tempted to retrieve snacks on their own. Limit their access to the fridge by installing a latch around the door handles.

If you have a double-door fridge, consider switching to a model with a sliding drawer freezer at the base. Otherwise, your child might be able to grab hold of one of the doors and fall to the side as it swings open.

If your child does manage to access this appliance when it’s open, get in the habit of placing heavy or glass items toward the rear of the fridge, not on the edges of the shelves or in the door.

3. Small Appliances

When it comes to your coffee machine, blender, toaster, and other small appliances, wind up the cables and secure the devices to the wall or backsplash. Otherwise, your little one might be able to yank on the cord and pull the appliance off the counter. If the cords on your small appliances are too long, use cord shorteners or drill holes into your countertop to hang the slack.

If you need professional appliance replacement or plumbing or HVAC repairs, contact the experts at Bernie Buchner, Inc. This La Crosse, WI, team tends to plumbing, heating, and refrigeration needs, from installations to emergency repairs. With over 60 years of experience, you can count on their licensed, bonded, and fully insured technicians to get the job done right the first time. To learn more about their plumbing and appliance services, visit the website or call (608) 784-9000. Text JOIN to (608) 480-8709 to receive text message updates.