Kitchen Hazards

Maintaining safety in the kitchen.

Kitchen Hazards

For many people, the kitchen is a well-loved part of the home. It is where family meals are lovingly prepared and family recipes are passed down. Children, often fascinated with the preparation of a meal, love to hang around and help in little ways while grandmothers take pride in teaching the younger generation traditional recipes. However, the kitchen is also an environment where accidents can occur easily if some common hazards are not recognized and addressed. This is pertinent for young children or the elderly and everyone in the household should play a role in maintaining safety in the kitchen.

The Checklist

 Here is a checklist of common hazards to take note of:

• Wipe up spills on bare floors immediately.
• Lock away all sharp tools (e.g. knives, scissors) and chemicals (e.g. detergents, cleaners).

• Pot handles should be turned away from the front of the stove. 
• Remove all potentially dangerous appliances (e.g. blender) and store them out of reach of young children.
• Extension cords and appliance cords should be located away from the sink and stove areas.
• Avoid accumulating gas tanks in the kitchen.
• If a step stool is used, make sure that it is stable and in good condition.
• Be fire-safe.
• Avoid wearing loose clothing or long sleeves and tie up long hair.
• Avoid using bare hands as ‘testers’.

• Keep dishcloths and paper towels away from the stove or open flame.

• Avoid loose mats and rugs on the kitchen floor to prevent accidental trips.

These tips might seem simple to you. Well, in fact, they are simple things to do, yet they can go a long way to ensure that the kitchen remains a safe environment for all members of the family to enjoy.