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Today I begin a series of articles on Kitchen Safety. I originally started this as one maybe two articles however as I began researching the subject there are many topics to cover so I will take them one at a time.

The first subject I will discuss is working with knives around the kitchen. Here are a few tips to keep you and your loved ones from being injured. Some of them sound like common sense however I believe they are worth mentioning since I am sure many of you have either been injured in the way described or know someone who has been injured.

• Always keep your knives sharp. If a knife is sharp, it makes it easy to slice through what you are cutting with just a little force. When a knife is dull, it requires a lot more force and makes it easier to slip away from the item you are cutting and cut whatever is in its path like your finger or an electrical cord. A cut from a sharp knife is cleaner and if it does require stitches it will leave less of a scar.
• When you are using a knife always cut away from you and not toward your fingers. This way, if you slip, the blade is less likely to cut you. Always pay attention to the edge of the blade where if you do slip it will not cut you.
• Always when working with a knife and you go to lay it down, lay it down with the edge pointing away from you and not pointing up. It is easy for someone to lean on the counter and cut themselves if it is pointing up. Also do not lay it on the edge of the counter where someone could easily knock it down. This is especially important if you have small children so they do not grab it.
• Don’t try to catch a falling knife. Jump back and let it hit the floor so you don’t catch it with your hand and cut yourself and it doesn’t stab you in the foot.
• Don’t throw your knives in the dishwater with the rest of the dishes. It is real easy to reach in and grab a sharp knife and cut yourself. If you like to let your knives soak before putting them into the dishwasher, put them in a glass with dish soap to soak. I advise washing the knives separately by hand so they are not banging around in the dishwasher. If you are using a dishwasher make sure the edges are stable away from the other silverware.
• Use a knife block to store your knives. Don’t store sharp knives loose in a drawer. The knives moving around in a drawer will ruin the sharp edge and it is also easier for someone to reach in the drawer and pull one out by the edge.

Here is a good video with a couple of kids offering the Top Ten Kitchen Knife Safety Tips for Kids.

I hope you enjoy this series on kitchen safety. Planned topics for discussion will include but are not limited to fire and other heat sources, burns and first aid, food poisoning, spoilage, temperature control, chemicals, slips and falls, electricity and appliances, microwaves, cleanliness and sanitation, children in the kitchen, and general cooking tips in regards to certain foods and containers. I hope you find this series full of valuable information. I pray you and your loved ones are always safe in the kitchen.

Take care and God bless.

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