How to Teach Your Child to Use The Microwave Oven Safely

Your child loves to be in the kitchen and wants to cook. So you have decided it is time to teach them to safely use your kitchen appliances. Today's lesson will be on microwave safety.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• microwave oven
• microwave safe dishes
• food you want to reheat

1. In order for your child to use your microwave oven safely, the microwave must be on a sturdy surface that is low enough for your child to reach. If your child has to lift their hands above their head to get things into and out of the microwave it is too high for them to use safely. If the microwave is up high, there is the danger of your child pulling a hot dish down onto themselves.

2. Once the microwave is in a place where your child can reach it safely, start by teaching your child about the different controls and what the different features of the microwave are. Most children just need to learn a few basic controls to start with. How to set the time, how to start the microwave and how to turn the microwave off.

3. Teach your child about microwave safe dishes and show them where you keep these dishes in your kitchen. It is a good idea to keep the microwave dishes that your child will use apart from other dishes and storage containers so your child doesn't get confused over which ones to use.

4. Explain to your child that aluminum foil and metal like spoons and forks are never to be placed into the microwave as this could cause sparks and a fire.

5. Many plastic bags and plastic wraps will melt if they come into contact with hot food so these should not be used in the microwave. If you have microwave safe plastic wrap in your kitchen make sure your child can tell it apart from other non-microwave safe plastic wrap.

6. Demonstrate for your child how to put leftover food on a microwave safe plate or paper plate, cover with a paper towel to prevent splatter, and place in the microwave. Tell you child how much time to set your microwave for and let them set the controls and turn the machine on.

7. Teach your child to always use pot holders when removing food from the microwave.

8. Teach your child to always stir food if possible or let it sit before tasting to avoid hot spots that might burn their mouth.

9. Teach your child to always open lids, or pull back plastic away from their fingers and bodies to prevent steam from burning their fingers or bodies. Have them keep their faces back when opening lids.

10. Once your child has mastered reheating leftovers, teach them to carefully read and follow the package instructions for simple microwave meals. They will have a great time cooking for themselves, and you can feel confident that they are using the microwave safely.

11. Accidents sometimes happen. If your child smells burning food, teach them to turn the microwave off, keep the door shut, and get an adult to help.

Tips & Warnings

• Always supervise children in the kitchen.
• Kitchen fires can happen so always have a kitchen rated fire extinguisher close by and know how to use it in an emergency.

Resources

• Microwave ovens

[genius2b]

on 5/17/2009 absolutely awesome recipe :)5*

[AsktheNurse]

on 4/28/2009 Good advice. Would be helpful to suggest an age to start teaching kids when to use the microwave (possibly when they are in kindergarten/first grade and have some sense of time).

[Snuffles]

on 4/27/2009 Good advice! Thanks!