Kitchen Safety 101: How to Prevent Cuts, Burns, and Other Injuries

Embarking on a culinary journey can be thrilling, yet fraught with potential hazards. Kitchen Safety 101: How to Prevent Cuts, Burns, and Other Injuries, serves as your guide to navigate these risks, ensuring a safe and enjoyable cooking experience.

Don’t Cut Corners With Mandolines

Use the hand guard or wear a metal mesh glove when using a mandoline.

• Get comfortable with leaving that last nub of carrot, fennel, or union unsliced-you can always save it for stock.

Use Appliances With Blades Safely

Do not put your hand near a moving blade!

• Also keep your fingers away from a stationary blade, particularly when it’s still connected to electricity.
• Always unplug blenders, food processors, or any other type of chopper before going near the blade.

While Baking, Roasting, or Using the Broiler

Position your oven shelves prior to heating the oven, and make sure your baking pans or dishes will fit in the current oven configuration.

• Watch your wrists and forearms when reaching into and out of the oven.

While Cooking

Don’t drop food into the oil from as far away as possible

• Always lower food, such as chicken cutlets, into hot oil or any hot liquid as close to the oil’s surface as possible and away from you
• If you’re pan frying, assess the volume of oil when adding ingredients and adjust accordingly

Watch Kids and Pets Carefully

It’s best to keep kids and pets out of the kitchen while you’re cooking, especially if you’re making something elaborate and don’t have time to keep an eye on small visitors

• Make sure you’re both paying close attention, especially when handling anything sharp or hot

Dress for the Occasion

Long pants and long sleeves provide protection

• A hat or hair covering prevents hair from getting in the food
• Sturdy, covered-toe, slip-resistant shoes keep your feet safe
• Cooking uses all senses, including sound, so be aware of what you’re putting on and taking off while wearing headphones

Handle Knives and Blades With Care

Store your knives safely in storage, with the blades protected, not loose within a drawer.

• Don’t walk with knives pointing out-hold it at your side, pointing down-and never run with a knife in your hand. Never cut toward yourself.

Rules for cooking safety at home

It’s better to avoid injury than worry about how or when to rush to the emergency room

• Preparation and focus is everything
• Here’s some of the best advice for avoiding injury while in the kitchen
• If you don’t want to get hurt, stay alert
• Have a tip to add? Leave it in the comments below

When Using Baking Dishes

Metal oven vessels will always get hot in the oven

• Glass baking dishes are made from tempered glass, which is designed to withstand a range of temperatures
• However, depending on the type of tempered glass they’re made from, glass baking dishes can break under certain conditions

Start With a Safe(r) Kitchen

Everyone’s kitchen is different, and will have different potential dangers, so know your kitchen.

• Ensure that your smoke alarm and CO alarm are operational and up to code
• Use grounded outlets for all kitchen appliances
• Check appliances of all sizes after 10 years to ensure their buttons, knobs, and switches are in working order
• Make sure your stovetop is clean and clear before using it, and make sure your oven is empty and clean before you turn it on

Handle Breakable Glassware or Dishes Gently

Always check that a dish is oven- or microwave-proof before subjecting it to heat, and be very careful if you leave glassware near your cooking or prep area, as it could fall and break, and shards of glass could get into the food.

How to avoid burning yourself

Don’t start a fire

Don’t Underestimate Can Openers

Always rinse off the tops of cans you plan to open with a can opener, and follow the manufacturers instructions for use.

• This always includes taking care when prying a can’s lid off, so that neither the jagged edges of the can nor the lid get caught on your skin.

Don’t Start Fires

The kitchen is a highly flammable area, so keep these simple safety tips in mind: don’t let flammables (e.g., fat, cooking oil, paper, packaging, aerosol spray cans) near an open flame or heat source, don’t leave food on the stove or in the oven unattended, set timers to remember to check on food, and know where your fire suppressant materials such as baking soda are.

The Stovetop

It can get very, very hot

• Never leave a burner on high heat unattended
• Set a timer so you remember to check it often
• If you have a stove with faulty pilot lights, take care when lighting them
• Visually confirm when a burner is lit and that it remains lit when you’re altering the heat

Pots and Pans

Everyone’s pots and pans are different

• Some pot handles get hot and some don’t; know your equipment, and always keep a potholder handy
• Be attentive to handles and how they’re positioned
• Open lids away from you, and watch out for steam
• Always, always, always use a folded up kitchen towel or pot holder when grabbing something hot

When Using Appliances With Heating Elements

Always make sure that the venting hole in your pressure cooker is clear of obstructions before closing it.

• If pressure builds to unsafe levels, the safety gasket will blow and all of the super hot liquid in the cooker will be ejected through a tiny hole, spraying all over your kitchen.

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