In the US, 2 out of 5 reported home fires involve cooking equipment, according to Consumer Reports. Other common kitchen accidents include knife cuts and burns from pressure cooker malfunctions. Learning the smartest home kitchen safety tips, and then putting them into action, will be a sensible way to protect adults and kids of all ages from these three common kitchen safety threats.
Most kitchen fires are preventable
According to the Red Cross website, food should never be left unattended while it’s cooking. Anyone who is broiling, grilling or frying food should turn off the stove before leaving a home kitchen. As well, the Red Cross recommends using kitchen timers for stoves or ovens, because the timers remind home chefs that stoves or ovens are turned on. Another tip is to keep anything flammable thirty-six inches away from a heat source. It’s best to keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen 24/7. If you have small children, place a front lock on the oven, so kids can’t open the oven door.
The right knife techniques reduce the risk of injuries
The simple act of cutting a bagel may result in a knife cut. In fact, over nineteen hundred people per year visit USA emergency rooms due to bagel-related knife cuts. Cutting into trendy and costly avocados may also be risky. According to Sfgate.com, ER doctors call stab or slash wounds from cutting avocados “avocado hand”. To stay safe while cutting items in the kitchen, always use cutting boards. Also, home chefs should never cut towards their bodies. They should cut away from their bodies. To protect children from knife-related injuries in the kitchen, invest in a knife block with a childproofed, self-locking feature.
Use pressure cookers with extreme caution
A lot of people aren’t aware that pressure cookers may trigger serious kitchen accidents. There have been incidents whereby these small appliances have exploded. If the lid of a pressure cooker blows off, food from the pressure cooker may burst upwards and outwards and cause severe burns, so beware of defective models. In terms of lowering the risk, pressure cookers should be unplugged when they aren’t being used, because a child can’t turn on unplugged small appliances. Also, electrical cords should be kept out of the reach of children, as these cords are safety hazards, according to Parents.com.
Smart ways to protect little ones in home kitchens
Parents need to model safe kitchen behavior by teaching their little ones to wear oven mitts, instead of grabbing hot things with their bare hands. Children should also be shown how to cut things properly. Kids should start learning with nylon or plastic “trainer” knives and cutting boards. As well, they should be taught to never place knives in soapy dishwater, because people may reach into soapy dishwater and cut themselves when sharp knives are hidden by bubbles. In addition, according to Thespruceeats.com website, children should wear shoes when they are in the kitchen and they should avoid wearing clothing that’s loose or jewelry that dangles.
Ensure kitchen safety for all
Kitchens are the hearts of homes. They are places where the family congregates to prepare and enjoy the food. Parents who use these tips to protect themselves and their children from cooking fires, knife cuts and pressure cooker-related burns will be taking big steps that enhance kitchen safety.