The kitchen is a very important room in the home. While life is created in the bedroom, food which ensures its sustenance is prepared in the kitchen. The kitchen is used regularly in most homes to create delicacies. This not only makes the room interesting, it also makes us forget how accident prone the kitchen is. Now, while all accidents in the kitchen do not cause bodily harm, food and time may be wasted. Thus, there is need to ensure safety in the kitchen. Today, I’ll be sharing seven tips on how to reduce kitchen accidents with you. They are:
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Quench used Matchsticks before Disposal
This tip calls to mind the popular Igbo saying enenie nwa ite, o gbonyuo oku which means never underestimate even the littlest things. You may not know it but that used matchstick in your kitchen can start an inferno. Please, don’t be in a hurry to dispose it. Always double check the tips to be sure that the fire is completely quenched. Better still, dip the tips in water before disposing. This will not only eliminate stories that touch, it will also save us the stress of blaming the devil.
Avoid Distractions
If you’re cooking, please concentrate on that business. This is especially important if you’re dealing with heat or sharp objects. That long phone call can wait. You can record that TV program or you can cook when it’s finished. Multi tasking is allowed but only if you can do it whilst still in the kitchen.
Sharpen Blunt Knives
This may seem odd but sharper knives are usually handled with care. Less pressure is exerted with sharp knives because its capability is not in doubt. However, one does not exert such caution with blunt knives. The result is that too much pressure is exerted while the blunt knife is in use and this may lead to a cut.
Dry your Hands
The business of cooking involves a lot of washing and rinsing. Therefore, hand towels are a must have in the kitchen. Clean, dry hands have better traction for gripping than wet ones. Wet hands also conduct heat easily. So, if you don’t want to burn your hands, dry them before touching or carrying any hot object.
Cook with a Right Sized Pot
The first thing to consider in choosing a right sized pot is the quantity of food to be prepared. Another thing to bear in mind is that some food double in size while cooking. Also worthy of note is the fact that grains and beans make more foams than other foods. Therefore, when choosing a pot for your cooking, choose one that will comfortably accommodate the quantity of food you want to prepare. Switching pots midway usually leaves a mess; it also increases the chances of a burn.
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Childproof your Kitchen
The kitchen is a danger zone for kids. If it were possible, it would be off limits to kids. But since it’s not, children should not be left unattended in the kitchen. While cooking make sure your pot handles are not pointing out over the stove. Tie the long electric cords and make sure the sharp objects and the breakables are out of reach.
Install Good Lighting
A well lit kitchen is a joy to work in. Both natural and artificial lighting should be used in the kitchen. The natural light should be used during the day while the artificial one should be used at night. If you can afford it, use energy saving bulbs in the kitchen. If you can’t, make sure your lighting fixtures do not produce shadows.
Sources:
Cooking Manager
Eagle Mat
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