Kitchen Safety

Helping your children understand how to safely handle food and how to avoid any dangers of the kitchen is essential. Here are a few things to consider going over with your children before you get cooking! 

1. Before you begin roll up long sleeves, tie back long hair, remove loose clothing that might get in the way or catch fire, and tie on your favorite apron.

2. Wash your hands and dry them well. Wet hands can be slippery. Know that your child will probably want to wash their hands throughout the cooking process. Make sure they fully understand the kitchen sink they are using including where the hot and cold are on that specific sink in order to avoid a burn.  

3. If your child can not reach the counter top, use a sturdy stool or wooden step to help. Avoid chairs with seat cushions which can slip and slide.Keep cabinet doors and drawers closed so your little one won't bump into them.

4. Wipe up spills as soon as they happen. Wet spots can be slippery.

5. If your child is old enough, always use oven mitts to handle food on the stove, in the oven or microwave and under the broiler.     

6. When working with pots on the stove, be sure to teach your child to hold the handle while stirring to prevent the pot from slipping off the burner.

7. Always pick up knives by their handle and do not point them at anyone. Be sure to instruct your child that knives are dangerous and should never be used unless working on their skills with an adult.     

8. Keep electrical cords away from the stove top, oven and sink.

9. Before leaving the kitchen, check that the oven and burners are all turned off.

10. Don't put knives or other sharp objects in a sink full of water. Someone could reach in and get hurt.

11. Never put water on a cooking fire - it could make the fire bigger. Tell your child to leave the kitchen, turn off the burner. Use your fire extinguisher and if necessary call 911.

12. Don't put cooked food on an unwashed plate or cutting board that held raw food. Always use a clean plate.

13. And above all keep cooking fun!!!