by Heidi Peaster

Created on: March 20, 2010

As danger zones in the home go, the kitchen is probably the highest on the list, as well as being what has been called the "heart of the house".  We spend more waking and working time there than anywhere else in the home, and this is especially true if the family has children. Unfortunately when children are in the kitchen, dangers to them seem to abound.

Here are some tips for working safely and enjoying time in the kitchen.

* Keep sharp implements out of reach of kids.  Those big blocks for storing knives are a good investment for they can not only keep your prep and steak knives from being knocked around in a cutlery drawer, then can also be moved far back out of reach.

* Make sure all lower cupboards and drawers have child safety locks.  This eliminates all temptation of the kids wanting to explore and generally keeps everything from sharp utensils to cleaners safely away. 

* When cooking, keep children away from the stove and if possible, out of the kitchen.  Any very small child or baby needs to be confined to a high chair or playpen if there is no one else to watch them, and then placed well away from the work area.

* When cooking, turn all handles of pots and pans away from the front of the stove to avoid being knocked off and spilling the hot contents.

* When heating oil for cooking, always test the oil with a small amount of flour dropped into the pan first, or use a thermometer designed specifically for that purpose.  Placing food into oil that is too hot may cause an eruption of boiling oil to spatter everywhere.  Never put any food into oil that is visibly smoking.  Move the pan to an unlit burner and allow to cool.

* Do not leave pots heating on the stove above simmer.  Even when we do not intend to be away for more than a few moments, when distracted, we forget the time and are gone for longer.  If called away from the kitchen, the best rule of thumb is to take the pan from the heat entirely and turn off the burner.

* Have pot holders and oven mitts handy not only to the stove, but near microwaves and toaster ovens.  Be sure to use the sliding rack to remove the hot item.  As much of a no-brainer as that sounds, many burns occur from not pulling out the sliding rack, but merely reaching in to retrieve the hot dish and then catching your hand against the next rack up or the top of the oven as the dish is lifted out.

* Dispose of opened cans and can lids immediately.  Again, it seems like an obvious suggestion, but leaving sharp edges lying on the counter invites trouble.

* Keep a well stocked first aid kit in a prominent place in the kitchen.  Remember to include large and small sterile bandages and a first aid book.

We can never eliminate all risks in the kitchen, any more than we can any place else in the home.  But, being aware of a few precautions can make the heart of the house not only a happy place, but a safer one, too.

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