Kitchen safety is no laughing matter, though slap stick comedy can be an excellent teacher of what not to do - as seen here in a “Brady Bunch” segment.

The Brady Bunch - Klutz in the Kitchen

Kitchen safety involves avoiding and looking for potential hazards. Focus your attention on four main areas.

Fire and Electrical Hazards
Food Preparation
Food Safety and Cleanliness
Create a Child Friendly Kitchen

Fire and Electrical Hazards

1. Use a 3-prong grounded connection on all appliances.
2. Do not use extension cords.
3. Discard any broken or damaged appliances.
4. Turn off burners immediately when not in use.
5. Keep dish towels, pot holders, and paper towels away from the stove or other hot areas where they can catch fire.
6. Do not leave candles burning unattended. Place in flame proof containers.
7. Keep a fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen, but away from the stove or other hot areas.
8. Keep lighters and matches away from the reach of children.

Kitchen Safety - Fire Hazards

Food Preparation

1. Turn the handles of cooling pots and pans away from the front of the stove.
2. Be careful when removing the lid from hot foods. The heat can burn you.

3. Never leave cooking foods unattended!!
4. Close cabinet doors and draws when not in use.

5. Make sure appliances with sharp areas are unplugged before touching them.
6. Use proper lifting techniques when carrying heavy items.

7. Knives - Always cut away from the body when using a knife. Cut using a proper cutting surface. Keep knives clean. Do not leave knives soaking in water. When cleaning the blade, keep the sharp edge away from hands.

Kitchen Safety: Knife Safety

Food Safety and Cleanliness

There are ways to avoid food poisoning and accidents by proper handling of foods and keeping yourself and your work area clean.

1. Clean up spills immediately.
2. Always wash your hands before working in the kitchen. Wash with soap and water for 20 seconds before and after handling food.
3. Wash kitchen surfaces often, and wash platters before refilling them with fresh food.

4. Keep uncooked and ready-to-eat foods separate. Juices from raw meat may cross-contaminate other food if they contain harmful bacteria.

5. Use one cutting board for raw meat and poultry and another one for vegetables. If you use only one cutting board, wash it with hot soapy water after preparing each food item.
6. Use a food thermometer to be sure foods are cooked safely. Steaks should be cooked to 145 °F, ground beef cooked to 160 °F, and all poultry cooked to 165 °F.
7. Never hold hot or cold foods for more than two hours at room temperature, or between 40 °F and 140 °F. Refrigerate or freeze leftovers promptly.
8. When in doubt, throw it out; do not eat it.

Food Safety

June is Home Safety Month and the
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has prepared tips to

Cooking and spending time in the kitchen is fun for kids, and also provides parents with an opportunity to teach children about healthy nutrition. Here are tips to create a kid-friendly kitchen:

From the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Kids Eat Right program.