Kitchen Safety Tips

If a fire starts in the oven or microwaveIf a fire starts in the oven or microwaveDo not panic. Keep the door closed and turn off the oven or microwave. Opening the door lets flames get more oxygen, which feeds the fire. Keep the door shut; the lack of oxygen suffocates the flames.

Trying to catch a falling item seems obvious, but instinct pushes you to do it. Instead,getting out of the way is safer..

Lifehacker says,Lifehacker, "Baking soda puts out fires by releasing carbon dioxide and smothering the fire." Salt works just as well—use whichever you have.

Science explains this. Glass expands when it gets warm and shrinks when it cools down.lass expands when it gets warm and shrinks when it cools down., but the growth and shrink aren't even, causing stress and major explosions.

Do not let yourpot and pan handles stick straight out from the stove. Turn them sideways to avoid spills and flips.Keeping them turned sideways avoids spills and flips.

Make Sure Your Knives Are Sharpsharp knife will do the job quickly.A sharp knife works fast and needs less force than a dull one. A dull knife demands more force, increasing your chance of slipping and cutting yourself.

The FDA advises you usetwo separate cutting boards: one forraw meat, poultry, and seafood and a second one for fresh fruits and vegetables.If you lack two cutting boards, the FDA suggests:Prepare fruits and vegetables first, putting them safely aside. Wash cutting boards well with soap and hot water. Then, prepare the raw meat, poultry, or seafood. Wash the cutting board again after.

When Teflon or non-stick pans chip or flake,they "may release toxic compounds." Avoid metal utensils. Use wooden or plastic spoons instead to stir food in these pans.

Wet oven mitts cause burns becausewater lets heat conduct through the mitt's insulated fabric. Try silicone mitts.Try using silicone mitts instead.

Cutting a chili pepper releases oils that coat your skin. Water and soap do little to wash these off. AsThe Kitchnsuggests, use dish soap, rubbing alcohol, or a milk bath to remove the oils and prevent burning. Do not touch your eyes for a long time.

Blenders are annoying to clean.Worse is the dirt and bacteria left behind when you skip cleaning the blender (plus accidental hand-to-blade contact). Blend soapy water for one minute after making your smoothie to remove the hassle.

Use a knife to smash garlic instead of using your hand or a mallet.Food Networkadvises this method: " Lay the flat side of your knife over the clove while holding the handle. Use the heel of your other hand to carefully hit the knife... this separates the skin from the clove."

Flip food away from you when cooking in hot oil or butter to stop hot splatters from hitting you. Want to check your technique? Watch this video from Cooking with Class.

Cook meat to its minimum cooking temperature to keep your family safe from foodborne illnesses like salmonella and E. coli. Check that temperature at Foodsafety.gov.

Simple Bitesadvises, "Using the correct knife improves your cooking. Use your paring knife for small tasks like trimming mushrooms, and use the bread knife for bread!

People often store things in their oven. So, you should double-check your oven before pre-heating it ensure nothing is inside, like plastic cutting boards or anything that could catch fire.

Perishable fresh fruits and vegetablesStore items like strawberries, lettuce, herbs, and mushrooms in a clean refrigerator at 40° F or below. Refrigerate all produce you buy pre-cut or peeled.

Because the marinadecontains bacteriafrom the raw meat, toss it. You can boil it for several minutes to kill bacteria transferred during marinating.

Over time, and with use, appliance cords on coffee makers, toasters, blenders, microwaves, and mixers can fray, creating open areas for electric current that cause fires. Check them often and repair them as needed. Also, confirm your plugs have 3-prong grounded connections.

According to the FDA, "There are three ways to thaw safely: in the refrigerator, in cold water, and in the microwave. If you thaw food in cold water, change the water every half hour to keep it cold. Cook foods thawed in the microwave right away.

Spills happen. They are certain. Clean them up right away to keep yourself safe. As About Foodadvises "Water, food, and grease on the floor will almost guarantee a fall.

You love your kids and pets, but they can easily get underfoot. Keep Jr. and Rover out of the kitchen while you cook to avoid accidents and spills.You love your kids and pets, but they can easily get underfoot. Keep Jr. and Rover out of the kitchen while you cook to avoid accidents and spills.

Tempering eggsis essential when making custards or puddings. Tempering means carefully streaming hot liquid, usually milk, into eggs to raise the temperature without cooking them. This prevents lumps or a ruined batch of scrambled egg pudding.Pour a hot liquid, usually milk, carefully into the eggs. This brings the eggs to a high temperature without cooking them. This avoids lumps or a whole batch of scrambled egg pudding that needs discarding.

Kids like what happens in the kitchen. If a young one wants to help, know what tasks they can do. For example: measuring ingredients, washing fruits and veggies, stirring ingredients, and setting the table.