Kitchen safety tips should be part of your everyday routine.
For cooks and chefs new to the culinary area; learn to be safe in the kitchen before even thinking of preparing and cooking a meal.
Cooking is a relatively hazardous activity. Injuries in the kitchen can happen to the best of chefs, but being safety savvy will help to reduce that risk.
Handling and preparing food requires planning. A part of good kitchen organization is always safety principles. To bone up on your kitchen safety knowledge, read on for five tips that everyone should know before stepping foot in the kitchen:
- Do Not Rush
When in the kitchen preparing food, cooking, or cleaning – do not rush.
Stay calm and composed, it is safer for everyone in the family kitchen. Rushing will cause you to lose focus on safety, increasing your risk of being injured or injuring others.
Move slowly and with purpose – especially when you are carrying hot pots and pans. No matter how late you are with a meal, take it slow. Accidents happen more often when people are flustered.
- Clean Spills Immediately
Clean spills up immediately because they could create smoke or catch on fire – not to mention the increased risk of slip and fall injuries.
Keep paper towels and other materials on hand to clean spills after they happen. Teach your children to clean up spills as they go – not only will that save time when cleaning up after cooking a meal or preparing a snack, but it will also go a long way in preventing accidents.
- Knife Safety
Knife safety should be one of the top priorities in your kitchen.
Secure your chopping board with a damp cloth underneath to prevent it from slipping as you work.
Keep all your kitchen equipment and tools clean, especially your knives. If a knife is oily or greasy, your grip will be significantly impaired. Stop immediately and wash and dry it before continuing.
Use a knife sharpener to keep your knives sharp and ready to use. Dull blades can lead to unfortunate and avoidable kitchen injuries.
- Fire Safety
Cooking fires are one of the major contributors to household fires and fire-related injuries.
When preparing a meal, always practice safe cooking in the kitchen to keep you and your family safe.
Never leave the stove unattended while cooking. If you need to leave the room while you are frying or boiling something on the stove, even for just a few minutes, switch all the plates off.
Keep pot handles turned towards the back of the stove – that will prevent them from being bumped or grabbed by little hands.
- Cross-Contamination Prevention
Cross-contamination occurs in kitchens that do not follow proper safety procedures.
Cross-contamination is exactly what it sounds like – one food item contaminating another. In the kitchen, cross-contamination can lead to food bacteria transferring from one surface to another.
When given enough time, the right temperature, and moisture conditions, bacteria can thrive and make people sick.
To prevent this, wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water and designate different cutting boards for meats and vegetables.
To End
Play it safe in the kitchen by following these five tips above. By taking the proper precautions, you can prevent injuries and accidents at home and in the workplace.