Every new parent should make it a priority to learn good baby kitchen safety habits. Nobody wants to believe that they are guilty of dropping the ball where their children's health and safety are concerned and yet the number of toddlers that are treated for burns that they got in their own kitchens is shockingly high. We spend an enormous amount of money on products and gadgets that secure newborns in the car and the stroller, but harnesses and belts are not all that it takes to keep your child out of harm's way.

Unsteady babies can manage to engage themselves in accidents anywhere in the home. Table corners and area rugs that had previously been considered harmless suddenly take on new personalities as dangerous stumbling blocks that can send us on our way to the emergency room in an instant. Childproofing the den or living areas of the home can be as simple as picking up loose items and eliminating sharp edges by installing some bumpers and guards; but what about the kitchen? Is it possible for a parent to create a one hundred percent baby proof kitchen?

Safety latches on the cabinet doors and drawers are an important part of the baby kitchen safety package, but don't depend on them because babies learn to disable baby proofing door handles very quickly. Perhaps the best bit of baby kitchen safety advice that I can offer is to make the kitchen off limits. This recommendation is especially important for times when the stove is on.

Sometimes you might find yourself in a pinch for time when baby is awake and find yourself in a situation where you have no choice but to have baby in the kitchen. Days like this, when you are under pressure to get things done or are behind on your work will really put your baby kitchen safety practices to the test.

Many moms rely on the baby's high chair to keep their baby safe in the kitchen. The first rule of thumb would be to locate the high chair as far from the cooking area as possible. However, you should be aware that even if your little one is corralled in the high chair at what you might consider to be a safe distance, a dropped pot or an unintentional splash of hot food can travel much further than you could ever imagine.

The bottom line is that it's never a good idea to have a baby underfoot while you are busy cooking dinner. It might be a good idea to cook while baby is taking a nap or wait until dad comes home and can watch baby while you prepare your meal. If daddy is too tired to help out, feed him a salad and a sandwich. Perhaps the next time you ask for his assistance, he will be more cooperative.