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| |    Stove Safety by Laura Jana, M.D., F.A.A.P. reviewed by Kathryn Clark, M.D., F.A.A.P. The stove is perhaps the most obvious hazard found in the kitchen. Not only does the surface of the stove and the hot pots and pans cooking away on it pose the potential for burns, but boiling liquids also can cause scalding. However, chefs, take heart: There are many things you can do to reduce the risk of injury to your children. Supervision. Regardless of how obedient your young child is, never leave him sitting on the counter next to a hot stove. Stove protector. This type of safety shield is designed to adhere to the edge of the counter in front of the stove in order to prevent little hands from reaching up and touching the stove or anything that may be on it. Safety shields are generally sold at baby and hardware stores, and have the added benefit of preventing hot oil or liquids from splattering your children. Pot handles. Make it a habit to always turn pot handles towards the back of the counter where they cannot be reached from below. This simple measure can help prevent scald burns. Stove covers. Burners can remain hot long after use, and for many types, there is no way of knowing they're still warm just by looking. Nowadays, it is possible to buy stove covers that fit over most types of burners to help prevent this common type of childhood injury. Back burners. Whenever possible, use the back burners to keep hot items farther from your child's reach. Don't juggle kids and cooking. It is generally a bad idea to hold your baby or young child while cooking at the stove. Not only are you be more likely to be distracted, but your child is more likely to be able to reach objects on the stove and be burned or scalded. Instead, set your infant or toddler in an infant seat, swing, playpen, or other safe place well away from the stove while you cook. Off-limits to young children. Inform your child that the stove is off-limits unless he is being supervised by an adult. Teach your child. From the time your child reaches toddlerhood, teach him that the stove is hot, that he should never touch it (or anything on it), that steam means hot, and that he should never turn on the stove without an adult around. While it will take time for him to develop a full understanding of these concepts, the sooner you start talking about it, the better.
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