A great thing about cats is that they are able to use the vertical space in your home to get enough exercise without having to go outdoors. And since they reliably land on their feet, it's a lot safer than having your toddler roaming around the kitchen in the middle of the night, but in terms of curiosity and good judgement it's about the same.

Wipe down your counters of course, but you shouldn't be preparing food directly on the counter anyway. I stow my cutting boards vertically behind my canisters when not in use.

And give them better places to climb, like a tall cat tree in a sunny window, or a perch above your computer. High+interesting+warm+secure