It’s essential to be aware of what you’re doing in the kitchen and what tools you’re using. Here are the most common hazards to look out for in the kitchen.
Cooking is an activity many people turn to for stress relief and healthy homemade meals. However, there are some precautions you should take before starting up the oven and pulling out the cutting board. As you prepare to tackle your next recipe, take a look at this list of kitchen hazards to be aware of when cooking.
Slips and Falls
Before you start pulling out dangerous kitchen utensils or appliances, check for any spills or messes on the floor that could cause you to slip and fall. To avoid hurting yourself, clean up any messes before creating another one.
Mopping your floors often can prevent slipping on spills, but make sure to let the floor dry so you don’t slip and injure yourself. Good slip-resistant shoes and mats that stick to the floor effectively prevent falls.
Burns
Burns happen often and can result in a trip to the hospital. You can accidentally burn yourself if you forget to put on oven mitts and touch a metal pot handle.
You may not realize it, but the dishwasher and the microwave can also cause burns. Whether you’re removing a dish from the oven or the dishwasher, make sure to take proper precautions.
Let the dishwasher rest for fifteen minutes before emptying it, and use a cloth or oven mitts to protect your hands from hot dishes. Keep oven mitts near you so you remember to wear them when moving pots and pans around on the stove.
Loose Clothing and Hair
Everyone loves to mix their favorite spices into a dish—but not clothes or hair. If you’re using a knife or cooking on the stove, tie your hair back and roll up your sleeves.
Not only is it unsanitary for hair and clothing to touch food, but you can also risk burning your hair or clothes if you don’t wear them appropriately. Remember to keep your hair tied up or in hairnet and wear clothes that don’t hang loosely.
Dirty Sponges
If you’ve noticed a foul stench hanging in the air, it could be anything from the fridge to a dirty sponge. Without thoroughly inspecting your kitchen for sources of rotten smells, you put your health at risk.
If you do not change out old sponges, you risk bad smells and even illness from bacteria. If you use your cutting board for raw meats and clean it with a sponge, ensure that you replace it to avoid contamination.
After reading up on the most common safety hazards to avoid in the kitchen, you are more aware of what can go wrong while cooking. These kitchen hazards shouldn’t be the only thing you pay attention to—you should also be aware of the dangers of cooking fumes and how to remove bad cooking smells. Keep this list in mind when looking for safety hazards before you start making food.
