Teaching kids about electrical safety, part 3

In the kitchen

The kitchen is often the heart of the home. It is a place where families gather to cook, eat and spend time together. But it’s also filled with electrical appliances, hot surfaces and other potential hazards. Teaching children how to safely use and interact with kitchen appliances can help prevent accidents and make family time in the kitchen safer and more enjoyable. Here are a few tips for teaching kids about kitchen safety. 

Start with supervision. Young children should always have an adult nearby when electrical appliances are being used. Before allowing older children to operate an appliance, make sure they understand how it works and know how to use it safely. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Keep outlets protected. When small children are in the home, use properly designed child-safety outlet covers or other appropriate tamper-resistant protection on accessible outlets. Keep an eye on children around outlets and teach them never to insert fingers, toys, utensils or other objects into an outlet. As children get older, explain that electrical outlets are not toys and should only be used for their intended purpose. Teach them never to force a plug into an outlet or use an outlet, plug or cord that appears damaged.

Keep water and electricity apart. Never allow children to handle electrical appliances or plugs with wet hands. Keep appliances away from sinks and other sources of water, and teach children never to use an appliance that has become wet. If an appliance or cord gets wet, have an adult unplug it safely and inspect it before it is used again.

Be organized with cords. Keep electrical cords away from hot surfaces, stovetops and sharp edges. Make sure cords aren’t hanging where a child could pull on them or where someone could trip. Never use an appliance with a frayed, cracked or damaged cord.

Don’t overload outlets. Plug appliances directly into wall outlets whenever possible, and avoid connecting too many appliances to a single outlet or power strip. High-wattage appliances can place significant demands on electrical circuits.

Teach children to unplug safely. When an appliance is no longer needed, turn it off and unplug it when appropriate. Always pull the plug itself, not the cord, to disconnect an appliance.

Educate on other hazards. Remember that kitchen safety includes more than electricity. Hot stovetops, ovens, knives, steam and boiling liquids can all cause serious injuries. Take the time to teach children about these hazards and establish age-appropriate rules.

A little education and supervision can go a long way toward keeping young family members safe. At OPD5, we encourage families to make electrical safety part of every meal, every recipe and every memory made together.

Social media teaser: Let the little chefs have some fun—but make safety the first ingredient! Always supervise children around stoves, ovens and electrical appliances. Keep water away from electricity, protect outlets around young children, and teach kids to use appliances safely. Cook together, stay safe and enjoy! 

To read previous installments of this series go to https://opd5.com/teaching-kids-about-electrical-safety/.