Kitchen safety is a must-learn for everyone who loves to cook and carry out various activities in the kitchen. With all the appliances and utensils used in cooking, it is very easy to experience minor to major kitchen accidents.
Luckily, it is not difficult to practice kitchen safety. You just have to know the right things to do, which we will discuss in detail as we progress in the guide, so keep reading to get vital kitchen safety tips for all cooks.
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Kitchen Safety: Tips for All Cooks
Do not Wear Loose Clothing
Loose clothing, especially sleeves, can catch on oven doors, drag pot handles, make contact with grill grates and so on. This can lead to spills, fire and many kitchen accidents. So it is best you don’t wear loose clothes.
In addition, accessories like scarves, hats, jewellery and so on are on this table as well; take them off before you start cooking. You can also wear an apron to keep your clothes out of the way when cooking.
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Make Sure Pot Handles do not Extend Past the Stovetop
You can accidentally knock pots and pans over when the handles extend past the stovetop. In some cases, they might even fall off the stove entirely and spill your food; this is very dangerous as it can lead to a fire and cause food to spill on your body and burn you.
Clean Up Spills and Messes
When cooking, you need to clean up every spill immediately because it might cause you to slip and fall; it might even catch on fire and create unnecessary smoke. This smoke can also give your food an unpleasant taste, which is unhygienic. So, to improve kitchen safety and hygiene, do not leave spills like water, oil, or grease on your stovetop or the floor.
Don’t Leave Your Food Unsupervised When Cooking
Multitasking or being distracted while cooking is one of the leading causes of kitchen fires. When you are cooking, you need to participate actively and give it your divided attention; if you need to leave, then ask someone to watch the food for you. This is because it is easy to forget about your food and get carried away by other activities.
Keep Flammable Material and Liquids Away From Open Flames
Cooking with grills or gas ranges can produce a lot of heat, so any surrounding flammable material can easily catch fire if kept too close to the heat source. A vital tip for kitchen safety is clearing your cooking area and removing all combustible materials from open flames.
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Supervise Children and Animals in the Kitchen
One of the essential kitchen safety tips for all cooks is supervising your children and pets; some children may like to help in the kitchen or even cook something themselves, so you must watch them closely. Teach them to stay out of your way when you are cooking and also to stay away from hot pots, pans and appliances. Also, it is essential to keep your pets at bay and not let your kids bring toys to the kitchen to avoid kitchen hazards and injuries.
Be Prepared to Put Out a Fire
There are so many activities and mistakes in the kitchen that could lead to a fire accident; however, not all fires can be put out with water, so you must learn and be prepared to put out a small fire in case of emergency. Always have the materials needed to put out a fire, and if it escalates, you should call for help and leave the house immediately.
Turn off Your Appliances Immediately After Use
After using any kitchen appliance, turn it off immediately; it is very easy to forget such things and can be very dangerous. So turn off your gas, oven, microwave, blenders, etc and keep them in appropriate positions. If you smell gas in your kitchen, keep all electronic devices away, confirm if the gas is off and open your windows for ventilation.
Learn How to Use Knives
There are different types of knives for various cooking functions; you need to know how to use and maintain them to avoid cuts or injuries. One of the most common kitchen accidents is getting cut by a knife, and this can be prevented if you use them at a comfortable pace and keep them in a knife stand or holder when not in use. Also, do not add knives or other sharp objects to your dishes when washing and choose the best knife for each task.
Keep Your Hands Clean
Cross-contamination can happen very quickly when cooking, and it can cause many health problems for you. To prevent this, wash your hands regularly with soap and running water before and after touching different food items. Also, do not use the same cutting boards or surfaces for cutting veggies and raw meat.
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Keep the First Aid Kit in the Kitchen
The first aid kit can be in any part of your home, but you must make sure you have one in your kitchen because this is where most home accidents happen. Your kit should include a burn, salve, gauze, scissors, antiseptic spray, adhesive tape and so on. You should also have the phone number of a nearby hospital or doctor in the kit.
Sanitize Your Kitchen
The kitchen is the busiest place in many homes; bacteria and germs can quickly spread there, so it is vital to maintain good kitchen hygiene at all times, sanitize your kitchen and clean it as often as possible to ensure food safety and good health.
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Everyone needs some easy-to-remember best practices to enhance kitchen safety and prevent injuries. These kitchen safety tips for all cooks may seem simple and obvious, but they are vital and can go a long way to help you function well in your kitchen. These tips can save you and everyone around you from many possible kitchen accidents, and you can cook in the safest way possible every day.
