1. Keep kitchen knives sharp
Blunt knives are actually the cause of a lot of kitchen accidents, so keep them sharp. It's much safer to use a sharp knife cautiously than put pressure on a blunt blade, which is more likely to slip and cut your fingers.
2. Don't throw glass in the bin
If you break glass or fine china, don't just throw it in the bin with your other kitchen rubbish. Keep it in a separate container until you put your kitchen bins out to be collected, then wrap it in newspaper before disposing of it.
3. Turn in your kitchen pan handles
Never leave pan handles sticking out over the edge of your kitchen hob. They can easily be knocked or catch on your clothes and could cause a nasty accident. Make sure all handles are turned away from the edge of the stove.
4. Switch off your oven
Never leave a hob or grill unattended – a few minutes' distraction is all it takes for an accident to happen.
5. Learn how to put out a kitchen fire
One of the biggest causes of kitchen fires is fat catching alight on the stove. That's why it's so important to know how to put out an oil fire. Use a fire extinguisher, damp cloth, or fire blanket – never pour on water!
6. Separate raw meat and veg
Don't use the same utensils or chopping boards for raw meat and vegetables when preparing a meal. This can cause cross-contamination and could make you ill. Equip your kitchen with a set of colour-coded boards and knives for greater safety.
7. Store food at a safe temperature
Foods should be kept at either above 65°C or below 5°C. Any temperature in between provides the perfect breeding conditions for bacteria. Check your fridge regularly to make sure that the temperature inside is cold enough, and make sure food is piping hot after you cook it.
8. Don't let electrical flexes trail
Never let flexes trail across your hob or near the sink when you use small appliances. Take this into account when planning your kitchen, and make sure your plug sockets are fitted close to your preparation areas.
9. Have somewhere to put hot pans
Keep a heat-resistant surface on the kitchen worktop next to your stove so when you take pans off the hob or out of the oven you can put them straight down.
10. Keep a first aid kit in your kitchen
Keep a well-stocked first-aid kit on hand to deal with any small accidents – and when something runs out replace it straight away.
Make your kitchen safer with our tips on kitchen safety for kids.
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