# Damnit, she's only 18 months old, she's gonna touch that hot plate no matter what you say! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 8, 2012, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damnit-shes-only-18-months-old-shes-gonna-touch-that-hot-plate-no-matter-what-you-say/621306 "2012-05-08T18:53:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 18
**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damnit-shes-only-18-months-old-shes-gonna-touch-that-hot-plate-no-matter-what-you-say/621306/341 "2012-05-15T14:48:34Z")
> [@Otara](#): > > “The majority of scald burns to children, especially among those ages 6 months to 2 years, are from hot foods and liquids spilled in the kitchen or other places where food is prepared and served” This is why I don’t understand kid’s meals with a large liquid or gravy component, unless they’re served at a low enough temperature to be safe. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damnit-shes-only-18-months-old-shes-gonna-touch-that-hot-plate-no-matter-what-you-say/621306/342 "2012-05-15T14:49:58Z")
Yes, if a restaurant is lacking high chairs, to me that says that they aren’t set up for kids, and if I try to eat there with my toddler, someone’s going to end the night with a flaming gravy bath. So we go elsewhere. Well, hypothetically we would, as I have never actually tried to take my kid(s) to such a place. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damnit-shes-only-18-months-old-shes-gonna-touch-that-hot-plate-no-matter-what-you-say/621306/343 "2012-05-15T16:43:56Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Where do we stand on burning hot fondue? Yes/no/maybe for pouring on toddlers’ faces? I vote yes. You bring a toddler into a fondue restaurant, you’re practically asking for it. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damnit-shes-only-18-months-old-shes-gonna-touch-that-hot-plate-no-matter-what-you-say/621306/344 "2012-05-15T16:45:11Z")
No, that’s wasteful of good cheese. Chocolate covered children, however… ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damnit-shes-only-18-months-old-shes-gonna-touch-that-hot-plate-no-matter-what-you-say/621306/345 "2012-05-15T19:53:23Z")
> [@FinnAgain](#): > > No, that’s wasteful of good cheese. > Chocolate covered children, however… Depends on the circumstances. Sometimes it’s worth the sacrifice. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damnit-shes-only-18-months-old-shes-gonna-touch-that-hot-plate-no-matter-what-you-say/621306/346 "2012-05-15T19:59:00Z")
It’s probably already been done in this thread, but what the hell: Won’t someone think of the children?! ---
**Author:** ![Uber\_the\_Goober](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/58956e/32.png) [@Uber\_the\_Goober](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uber_the_Goober)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damnit-shes-only-18-months-old-shes-gonna-touch-that-hot-plate-no-matter-what-you-say/621306/347 "2012-05-15T20:30:54Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > No. Being a decent member of society would be if the parent wasn’t expecting a captive worker to take extra time and effort because you won’t. You simply do not expect that someone you have just met and may not even know the name of should share responsibility for the safety of your child. Do you send your children out to play in the street and expect that each and every driver will all be paying enough attention to not flatten one of those kids went it darts out in front of the car? … You’re not a pleasant person are you? It’s like you’re arguing some other point entirely - and getting all nasty about it. Are you even aware that when entering a business establishment there are unspoken expectations? And yes, there are bounds to these expectations but these bounds are pretty well (up until recently) uniform. They include, but are not limited to, not intentionally or UNintentionally harming your customers, and _GASP_ going out of your way to make their experience as pleasant as possible to promote future business. Taking greater than usual care with a customer’s children would definitely fall into both of these categories. > [@curlcoat](#): > > Oh lord, you are really going off the deep end, lumping those all together. Do you really think that a server who puts a hot plate within reach of a toddler is trying to harm it? Do you understand the word “negligent”? It’s pretty common. Your response here seems to indicate that you do not. Get back to me when you do. Cheers! > [@curlcoat](#): > > Uh, which of us is being vehement and spraying bullshit? :dubious: Mmmhmm. Doesn’t get humour - check. Doesn’t like being called hyperbolic names - check. Doesn’t understand the gist of the pit - check. I hope you fall down the stairs and end up ass - over - head with a case of horrendous explosive diarrhoea. Bring the pain - then choke on the foetid faecal rain! It’s the pit…if you can’t have fun calling each other ridiculous names and using expletives - then why are we even here and not in Great Debates? 😃 > [@curlcoat](#): > > I don’t think I have ever had a plate brought to a table at a restaurant that was so hot that it could have sent me to the hospital. Well that’s just a case of different life experiences. I used to work at a restaraunt - and quite often a plate left in the hot window all evening could get hot enough to burn your skin. Maybe not hospital grade - but to someone who’s never experienced a burn before, or never had a kid before, it would bring enough pain to make them think they needed to go for sure. ---
**Author:** ![spinky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@spinky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spinky)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damnit-shes-only-18-months-old-shes-gonna-touch-that-hot-plate-no-matter-what-you-say/621306/348 "2012-05-15T22:17:20Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Where do we stand on burning hot fondue? Yes/no/maybe for pouring on toddlers’ faces? Pouring hot fondue is dangerous. Always dunk. ---
**Author:** ![scratch\_llll](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@scratch\_llll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scratch_llll)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damnit-shes-only-18-months-old-shes-gonna-touch-that-hot-plate-no-matter-what-you-say/621306/349 "2012-05-16T02:16:51Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > So to sum up, it’s ok to pour burning gravy on my porcupine as long as I am using a potholder? > > I just want to make sure I’ve got this right before the next time I go to Applebee’s. NO! NO! NO? Wait… NO! To sum up the thread, when flaming gravy shooting porcupines are ridden to the table by waiters it’s okay because they have said in a firm manner “LOOKY HERE AT THESE FLAMING GRAVY SHOOTING PORCUPINES!” and if someone gets injured it is absolutely neccessary to castigate and rebuke in a snooty why have you chosen to reproduce way all parents of the injured. At this point the wait person produces a get out of humanity free card and recieves a medal. Plus if you see a kid in the street it’s bonus points if you hit them when the parent isn’t looking. ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damnit-shes-only-18-months-old-shes-gonna-touch-that-hot-plate-no-matter-what-you-say/621306/350 "2012-05-16T07:42:37Z")
> [@Zeriel](#): > > Without. Stuff that qualifies as middle-to-high range for Central PA, up to and including middle-grade non-chain steakhouses and such. Huh. Well, we are going to Laughlin this weekend and if we eat someplace outside the casino, I’ll try to remember to look around and see if there are any highchairs at restaurants of that type. > [@](#): > > Find another restaurant. It’s going to be as much an annoyance for me to have a toddler in a restaurant not prepared to handle one as it is for them and the other patrons. Makes sense! > [@FinnAgain](#): > > No, that’s wasteful of good cheese. > Chocolate covered children, however… … is a waste of chocolate! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damnit-shes-only-18-months-old-shes-gonna-touch-that-hot-plate-no-matter-what-you-say/621306/351 "2012-05-16T07:56:11Z")
> [@echo6160](#): > > … You’re not a pleasant person are you? It’s like you’re arguing some other point entirely - and getting all nasty about it. You dropped in with insults and have tried to argue things I haven’t said. Since you continue to do this here I’ll leave you to argue with yourself. As for humor, I doubt many people consider being called a a jizz covered harlot amusing. > [@](#): > > I hope you fall down the stairs and end up ass - over - head with a case of horrendous explosive diarrhoea. Bring the pain - then choke on the foetid faecal rain! This is against the rules - I suggest you don’t do it again. > [@](#): > > It’s the pit…if you can’t have fun calling each other ridiculous names and using expletives - then why are we even here and not in Great Debates? 😃 This thread was moved here by the mods because of people like you. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damnit-shes-only-18-months-old-shes-gonna-touch-that-hot-plate-no-matter-what-you-say/621306/352 "2012-05-16T10:36:35Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > This thread was moved here by the mods because of people like you. The thread was moved here by the mods because you’re a drooling idiot actually. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damnit-shes-only-18-months-old-shes-gonna-touch-that-hot-plate-no-matter-what-you-say/621306/353 "2012-05-16T13:51:59Z")
Now now, children - you can ALL be drooling idiots. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damnit-shes-only-18-months-old-shes-gonna-touch-that-hot-plate-no-matter-what-you-say/621306/354 "2012-05-16T14:06:44Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Now now, children - you can ALL be drooling idiots. 🙂 **CW** , that gave me my first HUGE laugh of the day. Thanks!! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damnit-shes-only-18-months-old-shes-gonna-touch-that-hot-plate-no-matter-what-you-say/621306/355 "2012-05-16T14:10:23Z")
I like to go to Erik’s Restaurant near the Paris opera house. Families with small children are seated under the grand chandelier. ---
**Author:** ![BottledBlondJeanie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/0ea827/32.png) [@BottledBlondJeanie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BottledBlondJeanie)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damnit-shes-only-18-months-old-shes-gonna-touch-that-hot-plate-no-matter-what-you-say/621306/356 "2012-05-16T14:57:27Z")
Here’s an interesting twist on the hot plate issue. Warning, it’s a pdf [Redirect Notice](http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=17&ved=0CGQQFjAGOAo&url=http%3A%2F%2Fstatecasefiles.justia.com%2Fdocuments%2Fmichigan%2Fcourt-of-appeals-published%2F20050524_C251275_45_83C.251275C.OPN.COA.PDF&ei=CcCzT-OROYGj2QW1ubnqCA&usg=AFQjCNHkTG49155dd2QkWNDMN4wk3S9d4A) ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damnit-shes-only-18-months-old-shes-gonna-touch-that-hot-plate-no-matter-what-you-say/621306/357 "2012-05-16T16:11:08Z")
> [@BottledBlondJeanie](#): > > Here’s an interesting twist on the hot plate issue. Warning, it’s a pdf [Redirect Notice](http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=17&ved=0CGQQFjAGOAo&url=http%3A%2F%2Fstatecasefiles.justia.com%2Fdocuments%2Fmichigan%2Fcourt-of-appeals-published%2F20050524_C251275_45_83C.251275C.OPN.COA.PDF&ei=CcCzT-OROYGj2QW1ubnqCA&usg=AFQjCNHkTG49155dd2QkWNDMN4wk3S9d4A) [This case referenced in yours](http://statecasefiles.justia.com/documents/michigan/court-of-appeals-unpublished/20020924_C233446(47)_233446.OPN.PDF?ts=1323899497) is more pertinent. It specifically points out that a fajita skillet is an ‘open and obvious danger’, meaning that it is avoidable, and not a ‘risk of severe harm’. ---
**Author:** ![BottledBlondJeanie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/0ea827/32.png) [@BottledBlondJeanie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BottledBlondJeanie)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damnit-shes-only-18-months-old-shes-gonna-touch-that-hot-plate-no-matter-what-you-say/621306/358 "2012-05-16T16:27:34Z")
Hell, sorry, that is the case I meant to link to. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damnit-shes-only-18-months-old-shes-gonna-touch-that-hot-plate-no-matter-what-you-say/621306/359 "2012-05-16T17:31:26Z")
Interesting, here are a couple of quotes > [@](#): > > In general, a premises possessor owes a duty to an invitee to exercise reasonable > care to protect the invitee from an unreasonable risk of harm caused by a > dangerous condition on the land. However, this duty does not generally > encompass removal of open and obvious dangers . . . . > A danger is open and obvious when the danger is known to the invitee or > is so obvious that the invitee might reasonably be expected to discover it I think the question here is… Who is the invitee? If the toddler is considered the invitee\*, then a sizzling hot platter, a cup of boiling water, or a loaded pistol would not be considered an open and obvious danger. \*Is there any reason the toddler would not be considered an invitee? He’s clearly not a trespasser. Does the fact that he has a protector in tow remove the property owner’s duty? ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damnit-shes-only-18-months-old-shes-gonna-touch-that-hot-plate-no-matter-what-you-say/621306/360 "2012-05-16T18:53:42Z")
> [@Missy2U](#): > > **CW** , that gave me my first HUGE laugh of the day. Thanks!! 😃 You’re welcome! While we’re at it, we should probably ban all food from restaurants - choking hazard, you know. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damnit-shes-only-18-months-old-shes-gonna-touch-that-hot-plate-no-matter-what-you-say/621306.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damnit-shes-only-18-months-old-shes-gonna-touch-that-hot-plate-no-matter-what-you-say/621306.md?page=19)