Safety in the kitchen

Dr Douglas Street, Contributor

The kitchen is the favourite place in the home for many. The sights, sounds, smells and tastes are very pleasant indeed. But just as with so many other situations, where there is a lot of pleasure, there are many dangers. Here are some safety tips for the kitchen.

First of all, children and the elderly are vulnerable, so their access to the kitchen should be restricted based on their level of vulnerability. Home with these vulnerable people should, preferably, have a kitchen with a door or gate. Children love to run, and they may run into dangerous situations in the kitchen.

Many people keep dangerous chemicals in the kitchen. These chemicals (like pesticides and cleaning agents) should be kept locked away safely and preferably not at ground level. In fact, preferably, they should be stored outside of the kitchen. These chemicals should not be used when food is exposed.

Heat is a major source of danger in the kitchen. To avoid being burnt, ensure that pot handles are turned inwards. Try to avoid or limit the mixing of water and hot oil. Avoid handling a young child simultaneously with anything hot. Keep hot objects out of reach, and remember, steam may be invisible, but it is dangerous.

Water is used a lot in the kitchen and sometimes there are spills. These should be cleaned up as soon as possible as they can cause falls, especially when people wander into the kitchen. Broken glass should also be cleaned up quickly, but handled and disposed of with care (for example wrapping pieces in newspaper before putting fragments in the trash).

Limit germs

Another danger is germs. The kitchen is hot, and germs like warmth. Do not let cooked food stay at room temperature (especially those that are egg-based like salads with mayonnaise) for too long before eating or storing. Defrost meat in the bottom of the refrigerator. Avoid contact, direct or indirect, with raw meat and food that has been cooked or that will be eaten uncooked (and that includes cutting boards). Ensure hands are kept clean at all times. Remember that food can spoil in the refrigerator if kept there for too long.

Sharp utensils can also cause injuries. Keep sharp edges pointing away when in use. Put them away safely when you are through, and store them in a way that the sharp edges are not easily made contact with.

Dr Douglas Street is a general practitioner and has private practices at Trinity Medical Centre, Trinity Mall, 3 Barnett Street in Montego Bay, and Omega Medical Centre, Plaza de Negril, Negril. Send feedback to drdougstreet@yahoo.com.