Kitchen Safety

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 66% of kitchen fires start with the ignition of cooking materials or food. In the United States, 42% of all fires start in kitchens.

Cuts and lacerations from working with food account for a large portion of hand injury related emergency room visits. To increase kitchen safety, be sure everyone helping to prep and cook food follows some helpful basic rules.

Understanding the risks that are present in the kitchen and how to handle injuries or complications when they arise are key ingredients of kitchen safety. The following tips can help:

Make following these rules a top priority for the whole family, empowering children to grow their culinary skills safely. With the right tools and knowledge of how to properly use and maintain them, time in the kitchen can be fun.

Knives are extremely dangerous when used improperly. An estimated 42% of hand injuries assessed in emergency rooms are the result of working with food and knives. Following a few simple rules can reduce the risk of cuts and lacerations.

Don’t leave knives in the sink, loose in drawers or exposed on counters. Unsecured or hidden knives can lead to accidental cuts. After a knife is used it should be kept in a knife block or holder. Make sure to clean knife blocks and holders to avoid a buildup of bacteria that can contaminate knives.

When cutting food, always use a stable surface, cut away from the body and make sure knives are sharp. A dull knife will require extra force to cut that can lead to a loss of control. If it is necessary to move from one place to another with a knife in hand, hold the blade downward and let others know you are coming through.

Aside from cuts, burns, fire risks and other harmful products, there are many ways to get sick from items located in the kitchen and the improper preparation of food. Food safety is extremely important, which is why it’s important to recognize bacteria and chemical risk factors while in the kitchen.

Bacteria grow on surfaces in the kitchen and can be present in undercooked or spoiled meat. Common household cleaners pose a risk to children in the kitchen and can cause illness if the cleaner gets in the food. Here are some common best practices to avoid poisoning:

When purchasing cleaning products, always select the least toxic option and never mix household cleaners. Any two different types of drain cleaner should never be mixed. Vinegar combinations with hydrogen peroxide, ammonia and bleach are also highly dangerous.

Bleach is also a cleaner to avoid combining with products such as rubbing alcohol and ammonia. If ever exposed to a toxic chemical or chemical mixture, rinse for 30 minutes for corrosive chemicals and 20 minutes for chemicals that are toxic if absorbed via the skin. For milder chemicals, rinse the affected area for five minutes.

If you aren’t sure what to do, call your local Poison Control Center using the national number: 1-800-222-1222

Active cooking increases the risk of spills, burns, cuts and fire. The safety rules change when the kitchen becomes active. With so much to manage, make sure to be alert and attentive to what you are cooking.

No matter if you are simmering, baking or roasting food, check on it regularly. One person should always be present when food is cooking. This is especially true when frying, grilling, boiling or broiling food. To be as safe as possible, avoid putting hot dishes (glass) on wet or cold surfaces. Don’t use metal utensils on nonstick or Teflon pans. Don’t use cutting boards for fruits and vegetables if there was raw meat cut on it in the same cooking session.

Child safety in the kitchen is, of course, a priority for families. Making sure to discuss kitchen safety rules before beginning any cooking can help. Sharing the tips included in this guide can be a useful way to help them understand the dangers and how to avoid them.

Fire safety for kids can help children feel safer. Discussing what to do and who to call if a fire happens in the kitchen can help alleviate anxiety kids may feel about potential kitchen hazards and make supervised time helping out in the kitchen less stressful and more enjoyable for families.

Cooking in the kitchen can involve hot oils and hot surfaces. Wearing the wrong clothing can leave your skin susceptible to burn injuries.

Avoid wearing long, baggy sleeves or tops without sleeves. Droopy clothing can get caught on pots and pans or catch fire if held over the stove. Wearing no sleeves at all poses the risk of direct burns to your skin.

The type of fabric can also impact kitchen safety. Don’t wear any flammable or synthetic materials, as they can melt onto your skin. To further increase kitchen safety, wear closed-toed shoes and remove all jewelry.

Grease fires are one of the greatest risks when cooking in the kitchen. According to data from the United States Fire Administration, cooking fires lead to more injuries than other residential fires.

The worst type of cooking fires are grease fires. Learning how to safely cook with oil and what to do if a fire starts can greatly reduce the risk of injury and property damage.

If the fire does not go out after putting a lid over it, consider using a Class B dry chemical fire extinguisher. Practice home safety, get out of the house and call 9-1-1 if the fire still doesn’t go out. Grease fires can evolve quickly and get out of hand if not dealt with immediately, so when in doubt call for emergency services to help.

Burns are common in the kitchen, but according to Science Direct study , there is a lack of awareness around correct first aid remedies while cooking. In the study, 32% of respondents treated burns with nonscientific remedies alone or in combination, including honey, egg white, toothpaste, white flour, tomato paste, yogurt, tea, sliced potato, butter or ice.

According to Mayo Clinic, minor burns should only be treated with cool (not cold) running water or be covered with a cool, wet compress until the pain eases. If the burn is deep, appears charred, shows heavy patches of white, brown, black or is larger than three inches, it is a major burn. Immediate care should be sought if this is the case. Until further help arrives, major burns can still be covered with a cool, moist bandage or clean cloth.