by Annalou Mack

Created on: August 11, 2008   Last Updated: April 21, 2009

I venture to say nearly all families have had an experience with some kind of kitchen accident. My family has had its share. There are three areas in particular; chemicals, fires and falls where special attention is called for.

Safety with chemicals

Do not leave poisonous chemicals within reach of the children. Never mix different types of cleaners, bleaches and strong acids as it may cause an explosion or formation of toxic gasses. Cleaning fluids, gasoline, kerosene and other flammables should never be stored in the kitchen. Be sure there is no uncovered food laying around when you spray for bugs. After you have used a pesticide, always wash your hands. It is better not to store these poisons in the kitchen.

Electrical fires

Research has shown that the old corning ware coffee pots were suspected of causing fires when left plugged in, even when the pot was turned off. Newer coffee pots may not pose that danger, but it is still safer to unplug all small kitchen appliances when not in use, especially if you are leaving the house.

You should watch out for any breaks, cuts or frayed areas on electrical cords. Be careful about using multiple plugs as this can overload the circuits and cause a fire. Something else we may not think about is using appliances near the sink. Say the toaster is beside the sink, you are washing dishes and the toaster falls in the sink, you could be electrocuted. A warning to pay attention to is to not leave the room when you have something on the stove cooking. The pot can boil dry or the frying pan may become overheated and catch fire.

Falls in the kitchen

For safety sake, don't leave boxes, stools, bags of groceries, or anything else on the floor where you can trip. If you spill something on the floor, be sure to clean it up immediately. Soapy water, grease and oils and other slippery things are a hazard on the kitchen floor.

Other safety concerns

There are a few other items that are not so commonplace. One is about glass baking dishes. If they become too hot they will explode. That could happen if they are set on a burner that has been accidentally left on. Always remember not to put hot glass dishes on cold or wet surfaces as they will break.

A second area is the microwave. Burns are a common cause of injury when handling food or liquid heated in the microwave. There have been reported incidents of people being burned when a cup of water heated in the microwave "exploded" after it was removed from the oven. This can be prevented by placing a plastic spoon in the cup during the heating process. Read labels because some products should not be heated in a microwave and will say on the package.

To prevent steam burns, puncture plastic pouches and plastic covering before heating in the microwave. Eggs should not be cooked in the shell in the microwave as they may explode. Make sure there is no metal present in what you are reheating such as aluminum foil, staples, and twist ties. They may become very hot and ignite combustible containers. Always be careful to shield yourself from steam when uncovering food cooked in the microwave because steam can cause serious burns.

These are only a few general kitchen safety issues. The main thing is to be watchful and careful because most kitchen accidents are caused by carelessness. Always use good common sense. Be safe!

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