| The kitchen is considered by some to be the most | | | | counter. All uneaten foods should be refrigerated |
| used room in the home. Along with the amount of | | | | below 40 F in tightly covered containers. Every cook |
| time spent there the probability of accidents is | | | | should keep their work surfaces clean and free from |
| potentially high. These can be avoided if we look at | | | | contamination. All spills on the floor should be cleaned |
| preventative steps that can be taken to eliminate | | | | up immediately. Wash hands often for at least 20 |
| kitchen accidents. This guide contains some ideas to | | | | seconds and keep raw and ready-to-eat foods |
| decrease the risk of accidental injury to yourself or | | | | separate to prevent cross-contamination. |
| your family. | | | | Child safety should also be a priority in all kitchens. |
| The first thing anyone will notice about their kitchen | | | | Cabinets and drawers cause a high rate of injuries to |
| is its layout. One of the most popular kitchen layouts | | | | children. Drawers should have automatic closing |
| is the L-shaped kitchen. This style allows for good | | | | components or locks that keep the drawer shut. |
| foot traffic flow. It is recommended for a family or | | | | Chemicals, medicine, and cleaning materials should be |
| for those that entertain because tables and chairs | | | | locked up. Emergency phone numbers should be near |
| can be included in this space. The Double L-Shaped | | | | a phone in the kitchen. Also, the latch to the |
| Kitchen gives you tons of cabinet space as well as | | | | dishwasher should be locked at all times and it's |
| counter space. This layout is used for large kitchens | | | | washing cycle should be run after the children go to |
| with multiple cooks or larger families. The Island | | | | bed. Glass-top stoves are a good choice because |
| Kitchen is a trendy and very popular layout because | | | | they have no open flame. Induction cooking surfaces |
| it allows those inside to interact with guests while | | | | stay cool to the touch, but are higher end and more |
| cooking. Getting the perfect kitchen layout requires | | | | costly. Store knives and other sharp utensils out of |
| some planning and thoughtful decision making. Do | | | | reach. A lot of child proofing should be up to the |
| some research and set a goal for what you want. | | | | parents, but make sure that your kitchen designer |
| Remember to keep the safety of your household in | | | | takes children into account when planning a kitchen. |
| mind. | | | | Many families gather in the kitchen to spend time |
| The kitchen is a busy place and accidents can | | | | together, but it can be one of the most hazardous |
| happen. Cooking equipment is the leading cause of | | | | rooms in the house if you don't practice safe cooking |
| both reported and non reported home and fire | | | | behaviors. Almost everyone knows somebody who's |
| injuries in the US. A first aid kit and a fire extinguisher | | | | been injured in the kitchen. The kitchen is most times |
| should be located in your kitchen near the cooking | | | | the heart of your home and having a safe kitchen |
| area. Check to make sure range hood filters are | | | | grants peace of mind. Although its impossible to |
| cleaned regularly. Most importantly, a smoke detector | | | | foresee every type of accident that might occur in |
| should be present in any kitchen area. Keep the | | | | the kitchen, there are certain accidents that we see |
| foods you eat in your house safe by proper handling | | | | over and over again. Often, these could have been |
| which prevents bacteria from growing to a level that | | | | prevented by taking appropriate safety measures. |
| can cause sickness. Don't let food sit out on your | | | | |