Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2025

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by AMAC, D.J. Wilson

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Practicing safety in the kitchen is required to prevent accidents. From handling food properly to maintaining cleanliness, every step taken towards safety contributes to a healthier and more enjoyable cooking experience.

Reducing hazards

Kitchen accidents can happen to anyone. Unfortunately, seniors and children face increased risk of kitchen injuries to include things like cuts, burns, and slips & falls. To decrease the odds of becoming an injury statistic, mature adults can stay educated on kitchen safety for the prevention of accidents, while children can largely benefit from adult supervision.

How to decrease accidents in the kitchen  

When it comes to kitchen safety, there are sensible practices that can be implemented. Here are ten ways to be safer in the kitchen.

1. Assess your kitchen workspace. Are there things that can cause danger such asa loose rug, a dull set of knives, potholders with holes, or an appliance on the fritz? Each may pose harm. By assessing one’s kitchen space, one can address and omit potential problems, thereby making the kitchen a safer environment.
2. Slow down. Rushing around in the kitchen is a contributor to accidents. Being organized, having a plan, establishing a routine, using a food timer, and moving around the kitchen calmly and carefully can prevent precarious situations.
3. Have emergency supplies ready. Being prepared with a well-stocked first aid kit and the right fire extinguisher are key components of kitchen safety. Water should not be used on a grease fire. Thekitchn.com recommends that most folks have a multipurpose fire extinguisher for their kitchen or one that can specifically handle Class B or K fires. Note that a multipurpose fire extinguisher is a dry chemical one that can put out Class A, B, and C fires. Research to learn which type of extinguisher is right for your kitchen.
4. Learn how to use a fire extinguisher. Per Nationwide, PASS is the word to remember. It stands for the basic steps to work most fire extinguishers. P = Pull the pin on the fire extinguisher. A = Aim the fire extinguisher low, with the nozzle pointed at the base of the fire. S= Squeeze the handle of the extinguisher to release the agent. S = Sweep the nozzle side to side while pointing it at the base to put the fire out.
5. Wash your hands. Handwashing with soap is an important sanitary action before preparing and eating food. It keeps people from getting sick and prevents the spread of germs. CDC recommends wetting hands with clean, running water. Lather hands (including back of hands, between fingers, and under nails) with soap and rub them together. Scrub to the tune “Happy birthday” sung twice from beginning to end. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water. Thoroughly dry them with a clean towel or air dryer.
6. Practice food safety. To prevent food-borne illnesses, properly wash fruits and vegetables before consuming. Pay careful attention to expiration dates and avoid using expired perishables that can make you sick.Adhere to proper thawing and refrigeration of meat products. Always cook food to a safe temperature for consumption.
7. Using proper kitchen equipment. To reduce spillage or overflow, use the appropriate size pot or pan on the stovetop. To prevent cuts, be sure knives are sharpened to reduce pressure and knife slips and cuts. To prevent burns, use oven mitts or potholders offering heat protection to mitigate risks of accidents.
8. Maintaining utensil cleanliness. Important actions like washing cutting boards properly to remove food and bacteria can go a long way to protecting health. Cutting boards may be washed with dish soap, a scrub brush, and hot water after use as they are prime breeding ground for bacteria. Per HGTV, after cleaning, one may also pour 3% hydrogen peroxide over the board and let it stand a few minutes to kill germs. Once the fizzing sound subsides, give the board a good rinse under tap water. Stubborn stains and odors can also be removed with lemon and salt to deodorize. One may also spray the board with vinegar to disinfect it and to neutralize odors.
9. Clean as you go. Drop or spill a mess on the floor? Clean it up ASAP. This simple and common-sense action can prevent dangerous slips and falls. Cleaning and disinfecting countertopsand other surfaces where food is prepared is also beneficial for health, helping to stop the spread of germs and bacteria that make people sick.
10. Pay attention. When working in the kitchen, it’s important to carefully attend to food being cooked. This works to prevent kitchen fires. It’s also vital to pay attention to what you’re doing, such as keeping flammable items like dish towels away from the stovetop/oven.

Lurking hazards

When it comes to kitchen safety, these ten wise ways to be safer in the kitchen are a few of many! Understand that potential hazards lurk in the kitchen – like pointy knives, germy meats, hot stovetops & ovens, slicers, mixers, scalding liquids, and slippery floors – just to name some. Practicing ways to be safer in the kitchen is essential for the prevention of injury and harm. It allows people to express their love of food, cooking, eating and sharing in a functional, stress-free, and safe environment.