How To Remain Safe In The Kitchen

One of the most important things to remember is never to leave children unattended in the kitchen. Children must always be supervised while in the kitchen. There are a wide variety of sharp objects, hot objects and generally dangerous situations while unattended.

It is also essential that everyone washes their hands appropriately after handling foods, especially raw meat. You will want to use paper towels to dry off hands. If you have a dish towel and it comes into contact with raw meat or its juices, you will want to take it to the laundry. Clean the counters and sinks as soon as possible after handling raw meats or where juices may have touched.

Any foods that have the potential to spoil should be placed in the refrigerator as quickly as possible. Never allow perishable foods to sit out on the counter or table for extended periods of time.

If children are in the kitchen make sure they do not lick their fingers while handling food for preparation. This is very important in regard to raw foods such as meat and tasty cookie dough!

In addition, you never want to use an unwashed plate that has had raw food on it for the use of cooked food. Instead, always acquire a clean plate.

While coughing or sneezing, it is always important to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. Likewise, always wash your hands after sneezing or coughing.

When you leave the kitchen, be sure that all large and small appliances have been turned off and unplugged. You never want to use a stove for warmth in the winter or to simply heat up a room.

All electrical appliances should be kept a good distance away from water. Never touch an electrical socket while your hands are wet and be sure that children know that they should never touch a socket under any circumstances.

Pot handles must be turned toward the back of the stove while cooking to ensure that they are not bumped into or pulled off.

Knives should be kept in a knife block or drawer, out of the reach of children. A mandoline can make short work of slicing.

A frying screen should always be used to help in the prevention of grease splatters. If you do happen to have a grease fire, simply cover the pan with a lid.

You never want to add water to a pan that has hot grease in it. This could create splatter and cause burns. Instead, it is better to use salt or baking soda in an effort to end a grease fire. Other items such as baking powder and baking soda while they may look similar have a unique chemical makeup and could create a flare-up.

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