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Expert Review – Stove Knob Covers



Stove Knob Covers


MANUFACTURER
Safety 1st
COST
$5.00
VENDORS
Local Home Stores

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DISCLAIMER
The listing of these products is for informational purposes and individuals must use their own caution and judgment when using these resources. Functional levels and changes in judgment and reasoning are highly variable in people with dementia. Interventions must be individualized and continually assessed because those that are effective for some individuals may only work briefly and may not work at all for others.
DESCRIPTION
These safety "bubble" covers – designed for child safety – cover existing stove knobs. Once installed, if someone tries to turn the stove knob, the bubble should spin freely and the knob should not turn. To install, the base of the cover is placed behind the stove knob and the clear bubble top snaps over the knob. Use with caution, as the stove may turn on in some situations.
PROS
For certain individuals, the knob covers deter the person from using the stove.
CONS
Difficult to remove, especially for those with limited hand strength or arthritis. Taking the knob covers off and putting them back every time the stove is used can be inconvenient.

The knob – along with the cover - can be pulled off.
CAUTION
These stove knobs are designed for children and must be used with caution. They're not recommended for people with dementia who tamper with controls and those who become easily agitated. Taking the knobs off, hiding them in a safe place and putting them back on when needed, may be easier and safer then using stove knob covers.

Knob covers can be pulled off. Some people with dementia may pull the covers off, giving them access to the stove.

Check to see if the burner can still turn on when using the knob covers. On one older stove we tested, we were able to turn the burners on when we forcefully turned the knob covers.


Individuals with dementia will respond differently when access to cooking is denied. Someone accustomed to cooking on a regular basis could become upset when he/she is denied access to an appliance.

To ease the transition, make sure to have:
  • Other activities available that the person enjoys
  • Healthy snacks out on the counter
  • Alternative meal sources in place if the person lives alone or spends extended time by themselves

Product Selection Criteria

Our goal is to teach you how to be a good consumer and to help you learn about specific products and unique product features that may enhance your safety and the safety and function of the person with dementia. The products shown in This Caring Home serve as examples only. Manufacturers continually change product specifications and the products represented may be different from those now on the market.

We realize this is not an all-inclusive list. Products featured in This Caring Home were chosen for one or more of the following reasons:
  • Affordability
  • Attractiveness
  • Availability
  • Color selection
  • Ease of use
  • Quality
  • Safety
We encourage you to discuss product selection with other caregivers and health care professionals.


How We Tested

"ThisCaringHome.org tested many products that are commonly recommended for best practices to identify the best use of these products and any potential problems in their use by caregivers and individuals with dementia. Each product included in an Expert Review was tested in a home environment, either an apartment or a single family home (or both), by at least two people. Rosemary Bakker, interior designer, gerontologist and dementia specialist, was one of the testers for every product. Whenever possible, we tested the product over time, sometimes days, weeks, or months, for:
  • Ease of use
  • Reliability
  • Potential safety issues
As a result of our testing, we're listing the pros and cons for using these products and including safety precautions for various products. These products were not tested by persons with dementia. We hope in the future to do case studies to learn more about what works and what doesn't work in a larger variety of caregiving situations and home environments."

Products listed on our website but not tested by ThisCaringHome.org are referred to as "Product Listings".


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