Kitchen safety should always be a priority. Electrical appliances, sharp objects like knives, open fire, and bacteria around the kitchen are hazardous and can lead to accidents or hazards if not handled with care.
Commercial kitchen safety is everyone’s job. However, an alarming report released by the USA fire fighting department showed every half an hour, one person is injured, and every 3 hours, life is lost due to home fires. 80% of all home fire was a result of unattended cooking appliances.
Pay close attention as we explore kitchen safety tips and why kitchen safety is vital to commercial sectors, you, and your family.
Why Is Kitchen Safety Important
Avoid loose clothing while in the kitchen:
Suppose you don’t want to catch fire accidentally while cooking; avoid loose clothes, especially the sleeves. Ensure long hair is tied and covered correctly as it may catch fire, let alone find its way into the food.
Store sharp objects properly:
Knives should be placed in wooden drawers or cabinets and out of children’s reach. The drawer should not be above the chest’s height as you don’t want knives coming falling on you.
Wipe spills:
Try your best to have the kitchen floor dry always. Clean any spills immediately to avoid slippery floors, leading to accidents.
Avoid dangling jewelry:
The kitchen is not a place for long dangling jewelry. A chain may get stuck on the handle of a boiling pot, and when you move, you can burn yourself terribly.
Cooking should never be left unattended:
Home and commercial kitchen safety tips demand you turn off the heater or the stove if you leave the kitchen. Unattended fire appliances are the primary culprits of all home fires accounting for 80%.
Flammable materials such as paper towels, pot holders, tea towels, and curtains should not be too close to the cooking stove to avoid potential fires.
Too high placed microwaves:
Install microwave at chest height at maximum. Having a microwave too high can result in hot food spilling on your face or body.
Smoke detectors:
Has your kitchen fitted with a smart tech smoke detector; You will be alerted and can make a timely call to the fire fighting department or put off the fire if it’s small.
Steam burns:
When removing a lid, slowly push it to one side to avoid the steam burning your hand. You don’t want to have your face on top of the cooking pot as the pressure can burn it too.
Equip your kitchen with a fire extinguisher:
Though dormant and look like a useless investment, a fire extinguisher can be used to avert disasters. Have some basics on how to use one as you cannot go reading instructions amidst the raging flames.
Pot handles:
The pot handles should face away from the front of the stove. This way, children cannot grab them, and you cannot bump them hence avoiding accidental spills.
Matchboxes and lighters:
Keep these possible sources of fire from itchy and curious small hands. You can put them at the top of high cabinets or lock them away.
Apart from physical accidents and safety tips, you should also be on the lookout for any potential chemical or food poisoning. There are a lot of safety precautions but let’s look at the key ones.
Cleaning chemicals:
You should lock detergents or any cleaning chemical below the sink out of reach of children.
Thoroughly wash utensils after every use. Use quality soap and rinse well. Commercial kitchens should implement this to avoid mass food poisoning and contagious infections.
To minimize the chances of breeding bacteria, regularly dispose of dishcloths, tea towels, and sponges. Paper towels offer a good alternative as they are cheap and easy to dispose of.
Wash hands correctly before eating, especially if you have been handling raw food like meat.
Temperature-sensitive foods: Dairy products, fish, fruits, or meat should not be left to sit around in the kitchen for long. If possible, refrigerate them right away.
Conclusion
The basic concept to have in mind is that you are responsible for your own and the safety of others. 90% of all kitchen accidents can be avoided as they result from overlooked basic safety precautions or common sense.
To minimize chances of you indulging in any kitchen accidents, don’t fool or run around the kitchen and observe all the stipulated safety tips.