The present application in particular is directed to a method of operating a domestic cooking hob (1, 3), wherein the cooking hob (1, 3) comprises a user control interface (4) adapted to inputting user control information for controlling operation of the cooking hob (1, 3) and wherein the cooking hob (1, 3) is operable in a safety locked operational mode. In the safety locked mode, the cooking hob (1, 3) triggers a safety action in case that a person tries to operate the control interface (4) without unlocking the cooking hob (1, 3) or a person comes closer to the cooking hob (1, 3) than a preset distance without unlocking the cooking hob (1, 3).