It's crazy that if you were to "spank" or "swat" an adult, it's considered assault or battery, and if you do the same to a dog, it's considered animal cruelty. But go ahead, hit your kid, that's fine (and yes, "swat" and "spank" = hitting).
The only reason kids behave after being spanked/swatted/hit is because they don't want to get hit again. It's fear, not respect.
As for the argument - "he reached for the stove" or "he ran into the street" - watch your kid, keep him/her away from the stove by creating a place for him/her to safely play out of harms way, pay attention when you're outside so he/she doesn't into the street.