The heart of the house is the kitchen, but they also house a lot of potentially dangerous culinary equipment. Fires are the most common kitchen disasters, followed by injuries from knives, food processors, microwaves, and blenders. Today we are going to take a look at a few ways to prevent a kitchen disaster from occurring in your establishment.
First and foremost, keep a close eye on your kitchen appliances. According to the National Fire Protection Association, unattended cooking equipment causes one out of every three fires, with fat, grease, oil, or related substances igniting half of them. If you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, brush up on these safety precautions to avoid mishaps.
• When you're frying, grilling, or broiling, stay in the kitchen
• If you are simmering, baking or roasting, remain present and check the food often
• Keep anything flammable away from the stovetop, including potholders, towels, and food containers
• Keep a lid on hand to smother tiny grease fires by sliding it over the pan and turning off the flame
• If the oven catches fire, turn it off and close the door
• Leave the building and dial 911 if the fire gets out of control
• Always have a fire extinguisher with a 5-B:C rating on hand
Knives too, can be a major threat and can cause damage if not used correctly. Kitchen knives, which are made of sharpened steel, are one of the greatest dangers in the kitchen. By following these basic knife safety guidelines, you can reduce your chances of injuring yourself in the kitchen.
• Remember to always use sharp knives
• Do not cut food while holding it in your hand
• When cutting, always utilize a cutting board
• Keep your fingers on top of the blade at all times in case it moves
• Keep grease and other slippery substances off knife handles
• To reduce the chances of being knocked off the counter, keep blades away from the edge
• Never try to catch a knife that is falling!
• Avoid putting knives in a soapy sink where they cannot be seen
• Always keep the sharp edge of the blade away from you during washing