Kids Safety Tips

Kids’ Cooking Safety Tips

Kids Safety in the KitchenCreate a safe kitchen environment for aspiring young chefs by teaching them the basics of safe cooking – for their own protection and that of younger siblings:

  • Keep all electrical appliances and cords away from water.
  • Never touch electrical outlets.
  • Keep all pot handles on the stove turned towards the back of the range top. Same is true for pots sitting on counters – make sure pot handles are turned back.
  • Keep sharp knives out of the reach of young children.
  • Keep paper towels, dish towels and packaging away from hot burners.
  • Use oven mitts when removing hot dishes from the oven.
  • Place a hot dish in a secure place away from the reach of younger children. Surround the hot dish with pot holders or dish towels to prevent burns.
  • Metal and microwaves don’t mix. Use only glass or other microwave-safe containers in the microwave oven.
  • Never use aluminum foil in a microwave oven.
  • Food and dishes in microwaves get very hot from steam, use oven mitts! Watch that you don’t get burned by the steam!
  • Always pierce potatoes with a fork or knife in several spots before microwaving.
  • Beware of long sleeves or other loose clothing that can ignite from a burner or fall into hot grease or boiling water.
  • Don’t leave food on the stove unattended. Unwatched pots can spill, boil over, burn, etc. Unwatched fat or oil in a frying pan can burn and may start a house fire.
  • Clean up spills immediately – wet floors are a hazard.


Safe Food Handling

  • Wash hands Thoroughly!Wash hands thoroughly in warm, soapy water before starting a project, as well as before and after handling food, especially raw meats.
  • Use separate cutting boards for vegetables and raw meats.
  • Keep counter surfaces clean and sanitized, especially if raw meats have been handled. Immediately wash and sanitize any surface where raw meats and poultry have touched to prevent cross-contamination.
  • Never eat raw meats.
  • Refrigerate unused food portions immediately.