Which of the following should NOT be done when cooking near children?

Allowing children to help cook, while often seen as a way to engage them in learning about food and cooking, can pose significant safety risks. Children may not have the awareness or skills to navigate a kitchen safely, especially around hot surfaces, sharp objects, and boiling liquids. Their natural curiosity can lead them to reach for items on the stove, which may result in burns or other injuries.

On the other hand, keeping pot handles pointed toward the back prevents accidental tipping or grabbing, which is a crucial safety measure. Turning off burners when not in use is essential to ensure that there are no ongoing hazards in the kitchen environment. Additionally, using the back burners reduces the risk of children reaching over to grab pots or bumping into them, thereby enhancing safety while cooking. These practices prioritize the safety of children in a kitchen setting.