Ouch! Avoiding burns and cuts in the kitchen!

Preparing meals can be hazardous, and a visit to the emergency room can interrupt the preparation of a meal for many hours. As well as causing nasty injuries, kitchen accidents can cause damage to property. To reduce the risk of accidents and their resulting New York home insurance claims, we’ve prepared a list of safe food preparation tips:

• Avoid burns by using oven mitts when handling hot food containers.
• Avoid fires by wearing appropriate clothing when cooking; dangling sleeves and flammable fabrics are unsafe in the kitchen.
• Take care when heating fats and oils, and know how to extinguish grease and oil fires.
• Install smoke detectors, test them, and replace batteries regularly.
• Install a fire extinguisher in your kitchen, and learn how to use it safely.
• Turn off the stove if you have to leave the kitchen while food is cooking.
• Remember that sharp knives are safer than blunt ones.
• Always cut away from your body rather than towards it.
• Don’t hand a knife to a person; place it on a surface where it can be picked up.
• Store knives in knife blocks or on magnetic wall racks where they can be seen, rather than hidden in drawers.
• Load knives into dishwashers with the blades pointing downwards.

Take care to avoid burns and cuts when you’re preparing food. Don’t forget to tell your agent if you install a fire extinguisher in your kitchen, as fire protective devices may qualify you for discounted New York home insurance premiums!


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