Kitchen Safety is YOUR responsibility
Every year thousands of people are injured in kitchen accidents. Most of these injuries could have been
avoided by "Thinking Safety" in the kitchen. It's not hard there are just a few simple things to remember.
Fire Safety
- If you have a large fire in the kitchen or it is spreading rapidly, evacuate everyone from the
residence, then call the fire department. (911)
- Dress for Fire Safety - Never wear loose fitting clothing while working in the kitchen
- If your clothing catches fire, drop the floor and roll to smother the flames.
- Keep your stove, oven and counters free from grease to avoid a grease fire.
- NEVER put water on a grease fire.
- If a grease fire starts in a pan, quickly place a lid over the pan to smother the flames and turn off
the heat source.
Sprinkling or throwing Baking Soda on the fire will also put it out. You can use an ABC class
fire extinguisher to put out a grease fire. (follow the extinguisher instructions)
- Never reach over the stove.
- Do NOT store spices, pots and pans or anything else over the stove.
- Do not store flamables of any kind near your stove. This includes cloth and paper towels.
- In the event of an oven fire, close the oven door and turn the oven off to smother the flames.
- Do not leave cooking unattended.
Electrical Safety
- Make sure that the electical outlets in your kitchen have ground fault circuit
interrupter (GFCI) protection
- Test the GFCI monthly to ensure it works. (There is usually a red test button.)
- Do not overload extension cords.
- Inspect all extension and appliance cords regularly to ensure that they are not frayed or cracked.
If they are freyed or cracked discontinue use and replace immediately.
- Do not store small appliances or run extension cords near the sink.
- Make sure small appliances are on a dry counter top when operating or plugged in.
- Do not stand on a wet floor while using electrical appliances.
- In the event of an electrical fire, it can be extinguished by throwing Baking Soda on the fire or by
using a class ABC fire extinguisher.
- Do NOT attempt to unplug a burning electical cord. Turn off the electricity first, then unplug it.
Burns
- Do not let pot handles stick out past the stove. (You can bump into them when you walk by.)
- Always use caution when removing a lid from a pot so you don't get burned by steam.
- Pour hot liquids slowly so they won't splack back.
- Use pot holders to remove items from a Microwave.
- Use pot holders to handle pots and pans on the stove.
- Place food items in hot grease slowly so it won't splash back.
- Do not overfill deep fryers. Follow manufacurers insturctions carefully.
Knives
- Always keep knives sharp and clean.
- Alway cut by moving the knife away from you.
- Do not place knives in dish water unless you intend to wash it immediately. An unsuspecting person
may stick their hand in the water and get cut.
- Place knives in a dish drainer point down with the cutting edge facing toward the back of the drainer.
- If you place a knife on a counter face the sharp edge away from the counter.
- Never attempt to catch a falling knife. Pick it up after it hits the floor.
- When washing a knife, position it so the blade is flat and clean in a motion that
is moving away from the sharp edge.
Cleaning Supplies
- Store cleaning supplies in upper cupboards so they are not accessable to children or pets.
- Use childproof latches for all cabinets where cleaning supplies are stored.
- Do not store cleaning supplies near your stove.
- Do not store bleach products in the same proximity as other cleaning products. When bleach is mixed
with some other cleaning agents, a poisinous gas is produced.
- NEVER mix bleach and amonia. NEVER NEVER NEVER.
- Always follow manufacturers directions carefully.
- Only use cleaning supplies in a well ventilated room.
Slips and Falls
- Clean up spills immediately.
- Keep the kitchen floor clean and free from grease.
- Do not allow your kitchen to be cluttered. (You don't want to trip and fall in to a hot oven or pan.)
- Do not work in the kitchen when the floor is wet.
Children in the Kitchen
The kitchen can be a very dangerous place.
- Never allow toddlers or young children in the kitchen unless they are closely supervised.
- Never allow toddlers or young children in the kitchen while you are handling hot food. EVER
- Teach kitchen safety to your children. It's important!
- When you teach your children chores in the kitchen or how to cook, teach them safety FIRST.
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