Home > Video Channel > Childproofing a Kitchen and Stairs in the Home

Childproofing a Kitchen and Stairs in the Home

Bob moves to the kitchen in the Melrose remodeling project and talks with Jay Martel from the International Association for Child Safety about kitchen safety for toddlers. Martel reviews new products that can help make the kitchen safe. Martel shows an adhesive latch to prevent a child from opeining the refrigerator. Martel then shows a product that magnetically latches cabinets and prevents pinching. When activated, cabinet doors will not open until a magnetic "key" is used. The product can be disengaged by adults with a flip of the switch. For stove safety, Martel recommends parents use the backburners with handles turned away to prevent children from spilling heated foods and liquids. Martel explains that dishtowels draped over the stove's oven handle often invite children to pull on them and should be removed to prevent an accident. Stove knob covers should also be put in place. Martel shows how electrical outlets can be replaced with sliding covers that automatically slide shut when electrical plugs are removed. Bob and Martel then move to the staircase to review baby safety gates that have been installed. Martel says nothing is more important for children's safety than installing gates at the tops of stairs. Martel shows how the swinging gate requires two motions to open, a squeezing action followed by lifting. Martel reviews how the gate has been properly installed with affixed mounting hardware and inswinging action.
Get Adobe Flash Player to see this content.

Chapters from this episode

Clip Transcript For:

Childproofing a Kitchen and Stairs in the Home

  computer-generated transcript - may not be 100% accurate

" All right back in the kitchen now let's say hi to jay again anybody if there are lots of danger points in the kitchen from the point of view of toddlers that. And at what are some of the gadgets that are out there that can make life easier. Well to keep toddlers from preparing their own meals anything dangerous. That they might eat. We've got various types of adhesive latches for appliances -- assist appeal is stick gadget that you -- pretty -- was my next thrive when it comes in very handy to control what's in the refrigerator okay well my kids are grown up but I always remember putting in these little things that you push down so that they couldn't open the allied powers under the sink. Well they've come -- long -- Bob you can't even pinch your fingers in here because they won't open all of you but the magic magnet. And it will release from the inside that's what's going don't -- and so it's really clever Sinatra and you controlling it that way and it can also be deactivated with the flip of the -- that is so that lift. Children aren't around that's a great innovation yeah. Now what about stones aren't they a dangerous place yes that they are and there are few things we can do that don't even need equipment be. And -- refusing to back burners handles turned away dish towels kind of attract kids to him. Yeah so you want to keep them off of there right stove knob covers that is still got that covers her and everything it allows us to utilize the burners. Keep a child out. And what about receptacles. Well again that's a danger point well Bob we can replace the the cover now with a sliding. Outlet covers for the child -- pulling out of luck can't work that plug in and potato it automatically slides shut that's right to you don't have to worry about prying out those small choking hazard plug in and let's go look at the staircase a minute let's do it. So because we've got a two family house here our homeowners have to come up one flight. Before they're on their main floor and then -- got another flight of stairs to get to the bedroom level so we're really looking to two gates here. And how does this gate work is not different from the one over there -- gate at the top of the stairs and nothing in child safety is more important in improperly installed gate at the top of the stairs OK which needs two motions to operate 12. So you slide back and then lift them up and to close we can pretty much close it from anywhere and it'll drop right and we do not want this gate to go in that direction and -- it. All the movement over the landing that's -- learn about the installation though again. Installation you know gate is only as sturdy as what it's mounted on and you'll see two wood mount kits the K ten from cape -- And we've used what was available on the wall to mount it straight because if not straight it has a mind of its own we don't want gates swinging -- we don't want them swinging or minds who's all right well thanks protest."

 [-]


More Videos »Related Videos

Installing French Doors
Installing French Doors

Tim Berky has the rough opening prepared for the installation of the inswinging French doors. The doors come with temporary handles for installation that will be removed as the assembly is set in place. These Pella French doors have a triple-latch system that latches at the top, middle, and bottom for additional security. The door set with handles and locks is made of oil-rubbed bronze to combat the damaging effects of salt air.

How to Childproof Your Home
How to Childproof Your Home

A child's curiosity can be a dangerous thing in an unsafe home. Follow these steps to protect your child from harm.

Child Proof House
Child Proof House

There are simple things you can do to safeguard your home for your children. Install safety latches on drawers and cabinets. They are easy to install and keep dangerous items out of reach. Similar latches can be used to keep oven doors closed. And don't forget safety plugs for electrical outlets.

Lever Locksets
Lever Locksets

Lever locksets are a great feature for your home, especially when accessibility is an issue. Lever locksets are easy to install, especially on pre-hung doors. The first piece to install is the latch set. Once in a place, the handles simply fit in with a couple of the screws. For someone with arthritis, a disability, or even just an armload of laundry, these are a great option because they are easier to use than typical doorknobs.

Related Products & Services Showrooms

Caulks and Sealants Protect, Beautify and Save Energy
Caulks and Sealants Protect, Beautify and Save Energy

…exterior use. Sealants are high-performance products with good adhesive properties to stick to a broad range of substrates. They also…
…Caulks and Sealants Are Perfect For a Variety of Tasks. Kitchen & Bath Clean, attractive finishes with outstanding protection…

Plumbing, kitchen and bath fixtures
Plumbing, kitchen and bath fixtures

…Redefining your expectations for plumbing, kitchen, and bath fixtures. Thousands of…
…your entire home. 1922© High Arc Kitchen Faucet Faucets Modern faucets by manufacturers…
…spout systems, roman tub fillers, kitchen and bar faucets, and more... Sinks…

More Content »More Content

Kitchen Staircase
Kitchen Staircase

An elaborate staircase is under construction in the kitchen. Applying a centuries old furniture making technique, the skirtboard on the…
…and behind the risers to fill the flaired openings creating an incredibly tight staircase.

Staircase Installation
Staircase Installation

…used to rout out the wall side of the staircase Installing Stairs The staircase is attached on top with some finish…
…they come in and measure, build the stairs off-site, deliver the staircase, install it, and in four to five…

A Staircase for Distinctive Homes
A Staircase for Distinctive Homes

…levels in a smaller space: a "monk" staircase. The steps alternate from left to right to allow the stairs to be a much steeper grade, making them…
…home for young urban hipsters. The monk staircase in this photo is found in a dome-style…

Stairbuilding Basics
Stairbuilding Basics

…elaborate curved staircase are possible. Check…
…Millwork" or "Stairs" for local resources…
…space for a typical staircase in a home with eight…
…length. Generous stairs are more comfortable…
…fastening can keep your stairs from squeaking…
…of construction adhesive where treads and…

Browse Topics

Click on a letter to browse content by topic alphabetically.



About  | FAQ  | Contact  | Sitemap  | Privacy Policy  | Terms of Use  | Help

© BobVila.com 2009