Household appliances are used daily; We’re constantly loading dirty dishes in the dishwasher, opening and closing the fridge, and using the stovetop for cooking. While we use these appliances to make our lives easier, they have proven hazardous to children. It’s essential to be mindful of household appliances’ dangers and take necessary precautions to protect small children. Keep reading to learn more about safety features you can easily utilize!
Fireplace:
Most fireplaces are eye level for toddlers and smaller children, making it alluring for curious kids! Whether the fireplace is on or off, there’s a handful of dangers that can harm kids. The most obvious risk is the fire. Consider installing a glass door or screen to prevent children from reaching in and getting burned. Depending on your fireplace setup, you may have a hearth at the base. Hearths are notorious for having sharp edges and being easy to trip over. Add some padding on the corners and ledges to soften any falls.
Stove:
Along with the dangers of fire and heat, let’s talk about stove safety! Whether or not you have a child, it’s always wise to use the back burners alternatively to the front ones. This will help prevent anyone from accidentally brushing their hands over a hot surface and putting the hot surface out of children’s reach. Another way to avoid accidents is to invest in stove guards. Stove guards go on the counter’s edge to block small hands from reaching the stovetop.
Dishwasher:
A dishwasher can be dangerous for several reasons. Hot steam can potentially burn children, chemicals used to clean dishes can be toxic if consumed, and dishes like knives and forks can be dangerous if they’re in the wrong hands. Consider purchasing a safety lock that makes it difficult for children to open the dishwasher. When it comes to dish soap and other cleaning supplies, ensure they’re out of reach, out of sight, and not accessible to your kids.
Refrigerator:
Your refrigerator may not seem like a hazard; however, it likely houses choking hazards or things like alcohol or medicine. On top of the food inside, refrigerator shelves can look exceptionally enticing to climb to little ones. Most refrigerators have a suctioned seal to help keep the cold air inside and prevent kids from getting inside. Though it’s typically hard for kids to get inside the fridge, take extra precautions by keeping any food or drinks that could be potential choking hazards out of reach in case children find a way inside. Keep alcoholic beverages, medicines, or any foods that kids have allergies to up high and towards the back of the fridge.
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