Kitchen Safety for Kids

The kitchen can be a fun place for kids to learn and spend time with family. But it can also be one of the more dangerous rooms in the house.

That doesn't mean kids need to stay out of the kitchen. With a few simple safety rules (and the right amount of supervision!) children can safely learn to help with meals and become more comfortable in the kitchen.

Create a kid-free zone around the stove

One of the simplest ways to prevent burns is to give kids clear boundaries in the kitchen. Safe Kids Worldwide recommends creating a 3-foot kid-free zone around the cooking area. This is especially important for younger kids, who may not understand that a hot pan or pot can cause a serious burn.

“You can even use a piece of tape on the floor to show younger children where they should stop,” suggests Jill Lucas, Carilion Children's Safe Kids coordinator.

If you need to keep a baby nearby while you're cooking, put them in a highchair outside the cooking zone where you can still see them. Always avoid holding a child while cooking on the stove. 

Keep hot pots and pans out of reach

Kids love to reach, and a pot handle sticking out from the stove can be tempting. To help prevent spills and burns:

• Use the back burners when possible
• Turn pot and pan handles toward the back of the stove
• Keep hot foods and liquids away from the edge of counters and tables
• Don't leave hot pots, pans, or dishes where a child can reach them
• Keep appliance cords away from the edge of counters

Teach older kids how to cook safely

Before letting an older child use the stove or oven, teach them how to do it safely. “Make sure they know how to use oven mitts or potholders and understand that pans and dishes can stay hot even after they're taken off the stove,” says Jill.

It's also important to make sure kids understand that cooking requires their full attention. If they need to leave the kitchen while something is cooking, they should turn off the stove first.

Prevent kitchen fires

Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. To help keep your family safer:

• Never leave cooking unattended
• Keep dish towels, paper, packaging, curtains, and other things that can burn away from the stove
• Keep the stovetop and oven free of grease and food buildup
• Make sure your home has working smoke alarms on every level
• Stock the kitchen with a fire extinguisher
• Have a family fire escape plan and practice it

If a child is old enough to cook, make sure they know what to do if something catches fire. Most importantly, teach them to get outside immediately and call 911 if a fire is large, spreading quickly, or producing heavy smoke.

Practice knife safety

Keep knives and other sharp tools where young kids can't reach them. When your child is old enough to learn how to use a knife, start slowly and show them how to handle it safely.

“It's also important to teach kids never to try to catch a falling knife,” notes Jill. “Tell them to just step back and let it fall.”

Be careful with the microwave

A microwave might seem like one of the safest appliances in the kitchen, but it doesn’t come without risks. Microwaves can heat food unevenly and create very hot areas. Steam can also escape when a container is opened, causing burns.

Teach kids to open microwaved containers slowly and keep their face and hands away from escaping steam. Younger kids should have an adult handle hot food and liquids from the microwave.

Give kids kitchen jobs that fit their age

Younger kids don't have to use the stove or a knife to help in the kitchen. Depending on their age, they can: 

• Wash fruits and vegetables
• Stir ingredients
• Measure ingredients with help
• Place things on a cool baking sheet
• Tear lettuce or herbs
• Set the table
• Help clean up

As they get older and develop new skills, you can gradually give them more responsibility.

If you have questions or concerns, reach out to your child’s pediatrician.