First off, there are ways to child-proof stoves. This failure is ALL on the parents. Second, there are *numerous* studies that have been published and they all state that hitting children is detrimental to their development and trust in their parents. So, calling people "numbnuts" for what is a highly established form of abuse just shows what kind of person you are. As for OP, taking the knobs off and stove knob covers that lock are 2 options. Look for ways to circumvent problems while the child is too young to understand because they sure as hell are not going to understand why you just physically abused them.

I agree with the spanking because this is actually potentially deadly, especially if they do a carbon monoxide poisoning issue due to turning on the stove without lighting, but pain does technically teach a lesson spankings. Don’t always have to be painful either. It’s enough to get the thing idea through. Normally, my opinion is if they can’t talk the small swift pat on the butt, which doesn’t even hurt is enough to make the child realize they screwed up. It doesn’t have to be hard but once they start talking, that’s when you start using your words and if they still can’t follow through then a small pad on the butt, as well as a talking will help them associate that they really should not be doing that. I do believe that if the child does not listen, they could literally kill y’all everybody in the house.