We all love our kitchens, and for most of us, they really are the heart of the home - a place to unwind, relax, eat and socialise. To keep a SMART and safe home, caution needs to be taken. In every kitchen there are infinite dangers, which are especially important if there are children in the home. Here are a few tips to make sure your children are safe in the kitchen.

Don't leave children unsupervisedA kitchen may be an exciting place for a child to explore, but with dangers present, make sure to keep an eye on little ones when they are present. Never leave them unattended and if your attention is on something else, make sure they’re occupied or another person is around to help out. If you're cooking, then make sure pan handles are turned inward and encourage children away from hot surfaces. Keep sharp implements such as knives well out of reach.

When purchasing appliances always make your decisions with child safety in mind. Be sure to keep smaller appliances out of the reach of children. Keep appliances clean and if there’s a locking safety option, always keep it on when unattended.

Cupboard locksThe inquisitive nature of young children means they are going to want to know what's in your kitchen cabinets. Keep glass dishware out of reach to avoid accidents. Cabinets where bleach, sponges, and other cleaning supplies are stored need particular supervision. It pays to play safe and install some safety locks on cupboard doors and drawers.

Be sensible about where you place items though and try to view opportunities through the eyes of a child. For example, having a wine rack positioned close to ground level could be a recipe for disaster if your child decides to start clanging bottles together.

Corner bumpersAs children start tottering around they may not be fully steady on their toes, so it's inevitable they're going to have a bump or bang or two. But you can avoid any nasty accidents by placing corner bumpers on the edges of worktops and work surfaces.

Avoid slippingChildren like to be active and run around, so try and avoid any slips that might occur in the kitchen area. It might sound obvious, but mop up and dry any spillages or wet marks on the floor, as they are potentially hazardous when it comes to slipping. If you have a rug on the kitchen floor then make sure it's got some anti-slip underlay so to avoid anybody toppling over. Keep the floor clutter free and don't let toys start to pile up in the kitchen.

DoorstopsPlace a doorstop under each door that leads to and from the kitchen, so children don't get their fingers caught in the door as they go and out of it. Be aware of any other places where little fingers might get trapped.

 Climbing highDon't leave stools or chairs lying around in which your child can easily use to climb up to work surfaces or, worse still, the stove. Children love to climb but don't give them the opportunity to get hold of things they shouldn't.

About the Author: Crispin Jones wrote this article on behalf of Kitchen Appliance Centre, retailers of Neff appliances and Maia worktops. See their full range, including Maia worktops and Neff products, on their website.

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