Safety First: Play Kitchens

Play kitchens have long been a popular staple (and, frankly, favorite) of children's play areas. As with all toys, however, play kitchens can sometimes present hazards in the form of rough wooden edges, small plastic parts or general instability. It's important that parents take proper measures when purchasing a play kitchen- as well as during its use- to ensure children's safety.

The first place parents can go for toy safety ratings is the Web site for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. This branch of the federal government monitors more than 15,000 types of consumer products for fire, electrical, chemical, mechanical and child-safety hazards. The CPSC routinely publishes the latest product recalls alongside practical tips; you can also report unsafe products to the commission via the Web site.

Another Web site, Toy Recall Alert, also prints a running tally of recalled toys and children's products. Parents can sign up for a e-mail update from this site to stay in the loop.

Off line, parents should, as always, be sure to select age-appropriate play kitchens for children, free of small parts and sharp corners. Avoid toys with strings or pulls longer than seven inches, and don't purchase toys with heating or electrical elements for children younger than age 8. Follow assembly instructions closely, and make sure play kitchens are sturdy. Most of all, keep an eye on kids in play kitchens- it's as easy as grabbing a plastic pan and acting as your little one's sous chef.