Practical Cooking Safety Tips

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The kitchen can be a bustling hub of activity, with multiple tasks being performed simultaneously to prepare a meal. From heating pots on the stove to cooking or baking in the oven, chopping, dicing, and mincing on the cutting board, and moving between various appliances, it can get hectic. And if you add kids into the mix, safety becomes even more critical. Here are some cooking safety tips to ensure everyone stays safe in your kitchen:

  1. Always use cooking equipment that has been tested and approved by a recognized testing facility.
  2. Never leave cooking food unattended on the stovetop.
  3. Keep a close eye on the food cooking inside the oven.
  4. Keep the cooking area clean and clear of combustible items like potholders, towels, rags, drapes, and food packaging.
  5. Create a "kid-free zone" of three feet (1 meter) around the stove to keep children away from cooking areas.
  6. Prevent tripping hazards by keeping pets away from underfoot while cooking. Also, ensure pets stay off cooking surfaces and nearby countertops to avoid knocking things onto burners.
  7. Wear short, close-fitting, or tightly rolled sleeves while cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and catch fire.
  8. Never use a wet oven mitt, as it can scald if the moisture in the mitt is heated.
  9. Always keep a potholder, oven mitt, and lid within reach. In case of a small fire in a pan on the stove, put on an oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner and do not remove the lid until it's completely cool. Never pour water on a grease fire or discharge a fire extinguisher onto a pan fire, as it can spread burning grease around the kitchen, making the situation worse.
  10. In the event of an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the oven door closed to prevent flames from reaching you and your clothing.
  11. If there is a fire in the microwave, keep the door closed and unplug the microwave. Call the fire department, and have the oven serviced before using it again. Remember that food cooked in a microwave can be extremely hot, so remove lids or coverings from microwaved food carefully to prevent steam burns.

Source: The National Fire Protection Association (www.nfpa.org).

If you have any other safety tips that might help someone stay safe in the kitchen, we'd love to hear them!

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