Preventing kitchen accidents1

Preventing Kitchen Accidents

Accidents Happen!

Some kitchen accidents are due to ignorance…

But most are due to human carelessness!

The Kitchen

• - is a room or part of a room used for cooking and food preparation.

• -Cooking is fun, but kitchen safety is a priority. Think about it: Knives! Fire! Bacteria! Observing basic rules of kitchen safety is a good habit to develop. Always pay attention to what you’re doing in the kitchen because one slip can cause serious injury or accidents.

• -The kitchen is a dangerous place. Not only are you working with hot surfaces, and boiling liquid, but you're handling sharp knives and utensils that can injure you in a second. So let's learn how to stay safe in the kitchen.

The Basic Rule in Kitchen Safety

• Preventing Slips & Falls

•  

• Wipe up spills immediately

• Ice machines can also create fall hazards because of the large volume of water involved.

• Employees should never carry large loads that obstruct their vision.

• Equipment & Attire

• Long sleeves to reduce burns.

• Skid-resistant shoes to reduce falls and injuries from hot liquids

• Never cook while wearing dangling jewelry. 

The most common kitchen accidents:

• Chemical poisonings

• Cuts

• Burns

• Fires

• Falls

Electrical shocks, choking, and other types of injury can also occur.

You can prevent accidents by:

• Properly using and caring for equipment

• Following good safety practices

• Keeping the kitchen clean

CHEMICAL Poisoning

Children are especially susceptible to chemical poisoning.

To many children, household products (furniture polish, kitchen cleaners, bleach) look like food.

Prevention & Treatment of Chemical Poisonings

PREVENT:• Keep all products in a

safe location– Not under the sink!

• Keep in original, labeled containers

• Take it with you if interrupted

• Don’t rely on safety caps!• Wash all produce

thoroughly (pesticides)

TREAT:• Call the nearest poison

control center immediately

• Have the container on hand

• If the label lists instructions for first aid, follow them!

Preventing Cuts

• Keep knives sharp- dull blades can slip• Move the blade away from the body• Don’t try to catch a falling knife!• Only use knives to CUT• Keep fingers away from beaters, blenders, food

processors, garbage disposals– Disconnect and use a non-metal utensil

• Never pick up broken glass with your bare hands

To treat a cut:

• Cover the wound with a sterile cloth

• Apply firm pressure to the wound

• Wash minor cuts with soap & water, apply antiseptic, and bandage

• Severe wounds deserve a trip to the ER or doctor! (continue to apply pressure)

Preventing Burns & Fires

What causes most kitchen burns?• Scalding liquids• Spattering grease• Hot cooking utensils

Most kitchen fires are caused by:• Malfunctioning electric appliances• Carelessness around hot surfaces & open

flames

• Use pot holders• Turn all pan handles INWARD to prevent

tipping• Open pan lids AWAY from you to prevent

steam burns• Do not let children play near the range or cook

without help• Disconnect small appliances when not in use• Use caution when heating liquids in the

microwave• Wear tight-fitting clothing and roll up long

sleeves• Do not hang flammable materials near the range

If a fire or burn occurs:

• Have an extinguisher handy!

• STOP, DROP, and ROLL

• Run burned area under cool water– Do NOT apply

ointment or grease of any kind!

– Don’t break blisters

Preventing Falls

• Don’t stand on a chair, box, or countertop to reach high places– Use a sturdy ladder or step

stool• Wipe up spills from floors

IMMEDIATELY!• Use cooking spray over

the sink• Remove tripping risks-

kids’ toys, shoes ,etc.• Don’t store heavy items

on the top shelf!

Preventing Electric Shock

• Never stand on a wet floor or work on a wet counter

• Don’t touch electric items with wet hands• Don’t run cords under rugs/carpet• Don’t overload outlets or use extension cords if

possible• Hold onto the PLUG, not the CORD, when

disconnecting• Replace all cords/plugs when they become

worn

Treating Electric Shock

• DISCONNECT THE POWER SOURCE FIRST!

• Use non-conducting material to pull victim away from the source– Rope, long piece of

cloth, wooden pole

• Call for help and begin rescue breathing (CPR)

CHOKING

Prevent by:• Chewing food thoroughly• Avoid talking/laughing

with food in your mouth• Don’t give children small,

round pieces of food- cut slices in half!

Treat by:• Using the obstructed

airway maneuver (aka Heimlich)

• Be sure the person IS choking– Can they cough, breathe,

or talk?