Kitchen Safety Tips for Children

Hello Everyone! Today I have a special guest post from Daniel Sherwin of dadsolo.com. Daniel is a single dad of two helping other single parents overcome their struggles by sharing his experiences and giving encouragement. Even if you aren't a single parent, his blog has some very helpful ideas.

​Thank you Daniel for hanging out with us and sharing you tips on kids and kitchen safety!
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What goes on in the kitchen is a source of fascination to most children. It’s where all that tasty food comes from, emerging fresh and hot from the stove, oven, or microwave. It’s an irresistible place full of fascinating, shiny instruments that can be very dangerous to an inquisitive little one. In fact, no room in your house is more fraught with dangers than the kitchen. That’s why it’s so important to begin teaching your children about kitchen safety at a young age. It’s a lesson you can impart while you’re showing them how to whip up some scrambled eggs or make a grilled cheese sandwich.

No burns
One of the easiest safety lessons to teach a child is the danger of being burned around the stove or picking up a plate that’s just come out of the microwave. Install safety knobs on your stove controls and keep protective objects nearby, taking care to demonstrate how to pick up a plate or bowl using an oven mitt. Always keep heated pans and plates away from the edge of your countertops or table. And make sure your child understands that steam can also be a dangerous source of burns, and to keep hands and arms away from a pan or serving dish that’s emitting steam. Cover electrical outlets and unplug the toaster so there’s no risk of electrocution.

Sharp Objects
If there’s a greater danger in the kitchen than burns, it’s sharp objects like knives or tin can tops. A young child can reach up and grab a sharp kitchen knife very quickly if you’re not paying careful attention. Keep knives put away and out of reach of your kids, and apply magnetic locks to kitchen drawers and lower cabinets, another easily accessible source of danger for little ones. If you want to teach your kids how to slice food for cooking, have them practice with a special, kid-friendly knife, or plastic knife. 
 
Shelving
Many people have shelving they use for overflow items, things they need to get their hands on quickly and use frequently. If you have kids and a freestanding shelf, be sure it’s securely anchored to the wall. A wobbly, rickety shelf is a real danger to kids, especially little ones who may decide they want to go for a climb if they see an enticing object up there.

Food Safety
When kids see food, they don’t think about bacteria or germs. If you’re teaching an aspiring young cook how to prepare chicken, fish or meat, for example, explain how easily bacteria can become a danger to everyone’s health. Hygiene is the first step, so make sure your kids understand the importance of washing their hands with soap and warm water before and after handling food, especially raw foods. The same goes with knives, which may have germs that can be transferred into a loaf of bread, for example, or some other food item.

Fire Safety
A fire can flare up at any time in the kitchen, which is why it’s so important to keep a functional fire extinguisher nearby. They’re an important safety feature in the event a grease fire gets out of control or if something catches on fire inside the oven. If your kids are old enough, make sure they know how to operate a fire extinguisher in case of fire.
Kitchen safety should be the first lesson your kids learn as they begin to learn how to cook. Explain why sharp knives and fire are so dangerous and why they need to be careful. You don’t need to scare them, just make sure they’re aware of what can happen.
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Kid Favorite Recipe

No blog on kitchen safety would be complete without a tasty recipe to make with your kids when the kitchen is ready for little chefs. Here is a favorite of kids of all age:

Favorite French toast

4 slices brioche bread
3 tbsp. whole or 2% milk
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 tbsp. white sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Beat egg with vanilla, sugar, milk, and cinnamon. Pour on top of bread in shallow baking dish and allow to soak for one minute. Turn bread over and continue to soak for one minute. Meanwhile, preheat a cast iron or non-stick skillet on med-high heat and coat with butter. Place each slice of soaked bread on skillet and cook for approximately four minute each side or until egg is cooked through bread. Bread will be slightly soggy. Top with whipped cream, fresh fruit, or syrup.



PIcture Courtesy of Pixabay

​Thank you again to Daniel for sharing. French toast is one of my favorites and such a good recipe for letting the kids help.  Eggs were the first thing I remember learning to cook and one of the first things I've let my kids cook on their own.

I hope everyone enjoyed this guest post from Daniel. Be sure to check out his blog at www.dadsolo.com.

Have a wonderful day,
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