Most kitchens do not have doors, meaning that it can be difficult to restrict child access into the area. However, there are some additional measures that can be taken.

• When planning your kitchen, avoid designs that allow the kitchen to be used as a thoroughfare. This reduces the need for children to be in the kitchen.
• If there are doors that can be closed to restrict access to the kitchen, keep them closed and consider using door knob covers to prevent children from opening them.
• Gates can be purchased to block the entries into the kitchen. These come in a variety of heights, widths and colours to suit most kitchens. The devices control child access while remaining easy for adults to open. Their design means that although children cannot enter the kitchen, they can still see into the area and be easily seen by adults within.
• Do not have child access to the backyard through the kitchen.

Appliances such as kettles, toasters and electric knives can be hazardous to children. They should be kept out of reach at all times.

• Position electrical outlets close to work surfaces where appliances are used and away from the sink area.
• Appliances should be kept at the back of the bench or in a cupboard when not in use.
• The cords should be short and out of reach of children. A “curly cord” can be used to prevent the cord hanging over the bench.
• Consider purchasing a cordless kettle.
• Only boil enough water for your tea or coffee and then empty the kettle. Hot water can scald for up to 30 minutes after it has been boiled.
• Outlet plugs can be used in power points when not in use to prevent children from sticking objects into the outlet.

Cleaning products are commonly kept in the kitchen, often under the kitchen sink. They should not be accessible to children.

• Potentially poisonous products in the kitchen need to be kept up high (out of children’s reach) in a locked cupboard. Various safety locks are available for a variety of cupboards.
• Keep cleaning products in original containers with their labels in place.
• Put products away immediately after buying or using them.
• Store cleaning products separate from food and drink.
• Where possible buy cleaning products in child resistant containers.
• REMEMBER: Child resistant is not child proof – these still need to be stored securely.
• If called to the phone or door while using a potentially poisonous product, take it with you.
• Keep the Poisons Information Centre phone number near the phone. Ph. 13 11 26.

Kitchen cupboards contain many hazardous items such as cleaning products, appliances, cutlery and crockery. Child access to these should be prevented. Locking one cupboard door on a series of cupboards that are all internally connected will not keep your child safe. You would need to lock each individual door.

• All hazardous items should be placed in a child resistant locked cupboard or drawer.
• A variety of safety locks are available to prevent access as well as preventing possible injuries resulting from hands and fingers getting jammed in doors and drawers.

• Do not use tablecloths when small children are in the house as they may try to use tablecloths to pull themselves up with. Instead use non-slip place mats.
• Place cups, cutlery, dishes etc. in the centre of the table out of children’s reach.
• Make sure that very young children are placed into highchairs while at the dining table – not on somebody’s knee or seated alone on dining chairs
• Ensure that highchairs and chairs are stable. The base should be wide and sturdy to ensure stability and prevent tipping over
• Highchairs should be equipped with a 5 point harness or have an attachment for a separate harness to prevent the child from slipping or climbing out. Use this harness everytime.
• The highchair tray should be adjustable and securely locked in place.
• Put your child down before having a hot drink or eating hot food.
• Give toddlers their own special mug with a lid and a broad base.
• Keep hot foods away from young children until they have cooled.

It is essential to keep microwaves out of reach from children.

• Place microwaves up as high as possible without hindering adult access. Alternatively, place the microwave at the rear of the bench.
• An appliance lock is available and should be used if either of these options is not possible.
• Microwaves can heat items unevenly, even if it feels the correct temperature on the outside, it could be boiling hot in the middle – proceed with caution.
• Microwaves should be turned off at the wall when not in use.

Burns can be easily caused from contact with the hot interiors and exteriors of ovens and stoves. The position of ovens can influence the likelihood of burns, as can the use of guards and safety items.

• Ovens installed at adults eye level are the safest, as they are out of young children’s reach.
• If free standing ovens are used they should be anchored to the wall to stop children from pulling it on top of themselves.
• If the oven is not free standing, it should be secured into the bench or wall that it is mounted to.
• Electric ovens should have safety isolating switches installed. This will help prevent a child turning on the oven.
• Gas ovens should have a Flame Failure Device. The device will cut off the gas supply after a few seconds when heat is undetected.
• Oven locks can be used to prevent children opening ovens. This prevents burns and falls should they attempt to stand on the oven door to reach something higher.
• Oven guards can be attached to the front of underbench, wall or freestanding ovens to prevent children being able to make direct contact with the hot metal and glass.
• Stove knob covers can be fitted over oven knobs to stop children from turning ovens on.
• A fire blanket or extinguisher is recommended for any kitchen
• Make sure lighters and matches are kept well out of reach of children.
• Make sure you have a smoke detector installed in your kitchen that is in working order and change the battery once a year.

There are many items found in kitchens that need to be safely stored. These include cleaning products and chemicals, appliances, cutlery and crockery, as well as food stuffs and other miscellaneous items.

• Provide the option of low and high storage areas
• All potentially hazardous items should be stored out of reach of young children
• Store all chemicals and cleaners in a locked cupboard up high. REMEMBER: LOCK POISONS UP AND AWAY
• Locks and child-resistant catches should be used on all cupboards and draws that contain potentially hazardous items
• Keep potentially poisonous products in original containers to avoid confusion or poisoning.
• Plastic bags can result in suffocation and need to be stored out of reach and tied in the middle to prevent children from placing them over their head.

Scalds can easily occur if pots and pans are pulled of the stove top, while burns can be caused from children touching hot hotplates.

• Electric stovetops should have safety isolating switches installed. This will help prevent a child turning on the oven
• Gas stovetops should have a Flame Failure Devise. The devise will cut off the gas supply after a few seconds when heat is undetected
• A stove guard is an easy way to stop children from touching hot plates or pulling hot saucepans and pots onto themselves
• Keep saucepan and pot handles turned away from the front of the stove to help prevent children from reaching them
• Use the rear hotplates whenever possible as they are more difficult for children to reach
• Stove knobs covers can be placed over knobs to stop children turning hotplates on. Many Induction cook tops can be switched off at the wall when not in use.
• Have a heat resistant bench either side of the stove at the same level, so that hot pots do not have to be carried from one side of the kitchen to the other
• A fire blanket or extinguisher is recommended for any kitchen
• Make sure lighters and matches are kept well out of reach of children