As we head into the holidays, make sure you’re up to date on your kitchen safety tips. A visit to the Emergency Room is not on anyone’s list this year, but many people still end up there after an avoidable accident in the kitchen. It is estimated that between 350,000 and 400,000 ER visits each year are due to knife injuries. So whether or not you’re new to the kitchen or have decades of experience, read this list of kitchen safety tips.
Kitchen safety
Kitchens can be dangerous places, in fact the most dangerous place in the home. Risks come from different sources. Knives used for chopping and slicing, blenders or food processors, stoves and ovens, as well as anything made of glass, are all potential threats to the safety of you and your guests. Any of these items could lead to a trip to the emergency room. Kitchen fires and burns, as well as accidents involving knives and broken glass to the hand and fingers, are among the most common injuries in the kitchen.
“We see an increase in injuries from kitchen accidents during the holidays,” says Nitin Goyal, MD, hand, wrist and elbow surgeon, Midwest Orthopedics at RUSH (MOR). “They usually come from people cutting themselves while carving turkeys or from broken holiday glasses.”
So why are the holidays a time when more people injure themselves in the kitchen? Here are a few reasons. For most people, carving a turkey is an unusual experience. Lack of practice plus the size and complexity of the task create the perfect conditions for a knife accident. Crowded spaces and the pressure and distraction of a holiday gathering increase the likelihood of accidents in the kitchen. When you prepare large amounts of food, the counters become full, making it easier to throw something on the floor. Many people have special holiday serving platters tucked deep in cupboards or high on shelves. Taking these dishes up and down can lead to an accident.
Hand and finger injury
You may think that cutting your hand or finger is not serious and can be treated at home. However, hand and finger injuries can be very serious and cause a person to lose function or sensation. “People who experience a tear or deep cut should seek treatment immediately,” explains Dr. Goyal out. “If a tendon is severed, it must be reattached in a timely manner to maximize the chances of healing and mobility. Severing a nerve can cause loss of sensation, and this must be treated quickly to maximize the possible outcome.” Take your injury seriously and go to the emergency room if the cut is deep.
Don’t underestimate the potential your kitchen has to derail your holiday gathering. Take these simple precautions to stay safe this holiday season.
Safety tips for the holidays
Before you start cutting or cooking, make sure you use the correct technique. Dr. Goyal has these tips:
- Make sure your knife is sharp. This ensures that the food or knife does not slip.
- Keep your cutting area well lit and dry. Good lighting helps prevent accidental finger cuts and a dry surface prevents food from slipping while chopping.
- Always cut away from your hand and keep your fingers away from the blade.
- Never cut anything in the palm of your hand. That’s what cutting boards are for.
- Make round objects easier to cut by first cutting them in half and then placing the flat side on a cutting board.
- Do not soak your dirty knives in the sink, but wash them immediately to avoid accidentally picking up a knife.
- Never multitask while cooking and concentrate on what you are doing. Turn off the TV and save the chatting until you’re done.
- NEVER put your hand or finger into a blender that is turned on or even plugged in.
- Avoid alcohol until you have finished cutting, cutting or handling glass.
- If glass breaks, drop it and do not try to catch it in the air. Wear gloves when picking up shards – and carefully clean and vacuum all surfaces.
- If a cooking fire breaks out, take the following steps:
- Call the fire brigade immediately. Call immediately if possible. In many cases, 911 calls go to general emergency services.
- Slide a pan over the flames to smother a grease or oil fire, then turn off the heat and leave the lid in place until the pan has cooled. Never carry the pan outside.
- Extinguish other fires with baking soda. Never use water or flour on cooking stoves.
- To smother an oven or grill fire, keep the oven door closed and turn off the heat.
- Provide a fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Make sure you have the right type and training.
- Make sure you have a working smoke detector in your home and test it monthly.
The kitchen is often the center of activity in many homes, especially during the holidays. Follow these tips to avoid the hidden dangers and reduce the chance of accidents.