Children are especially vulnerable to burns in the home. Each day about 300 kids are seen in emergency rooms for burn or scald injuries, many of which come from our kitchens and can be prevented. Never hold a child while cooking, drinking a hot liquid or carrying hot foods. Have a “kid-free” zone of 3 feet around the stove and food prep areas. Turn pot handles to the back of the stove. Place hot liquids and food in the center of a table or toward the back of a countertop.
The smell of cookies baking in the oven or tasty sauces simmering on the stove top is hard to resist for adults and kids alike. Here are a few simple steps to keep your little chef safe from potential burns, whether in the kitchen, around a fireplace or in any other part of your home.