Community Services

Safe Cooking Tips for Children

1. Never leave a child unattended in the kitchen. Close supervision is essential whether children are helping an adult cook or simply watching.
2. Never hold a child while cooking.
3. Put pans on back burners and turn all pot handles toward the back of the stove.
4. Use caution when heating food and liquids in the microwave. Supervise your child when he or she is near or using a microwave and never let a young child (under the age of 10) remove heated items from the microwave.
5. Make sure you and your children wear close-fitting clothing when cooking.

Age appropriate tasks for children helping in the kitchen with adult supervision

Over age 5 can:

1. Stir ingredients together in a bowl
2. Rinse food under cold water
3. Use a cookie cutter to cut out dough in shapes

Over age 10 can:

1. Squeeze garlic from a garlic press
2. Use electrical kitchen appliances such as a blender, food processor, electric mixer, microwave or toaster oven

Ages 12 and up can:

1. Place a tray of cookies in the oven using an oven mit
2. Peel vegetables
3. Use an electric can opener
4. Shred cheese with a hand grater

Children over age 14 can:

1. Operate the stovetop without adult supervision
2. Drain cooked spaghetti into a colander
3. Remove a tray of cookies from the oven using an oven mit

Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics and National SAFE KIDS Campaign