How to Keep Your Kids Safe in the Kitchen

Share these top 10 tips for kitchen safety with your kids:

• Never use a sharp knife, the oven or microwave without an adult in the kitchen.
• Always dry your hands after washing so your fingers won’t be slippery.
• Wipe up spills right away so no one slips.
• If you have to use a knife to slice or cut ingredients, always use a cutting board.
• Always use potholders when making hot dishes so you don’t get burned.
• Lift lids away from you and keep your face away from steam.
• Put large pans on big burners and small pans on small burners.  Don’t let the handles to stick out over the edge of the stove or another burner.
• Ask an adult to lift heavy items and help you pour out hot water from heavy pots – like when you're cooking pasta.
• Put hot dishes, pots and pans on surfaces like the stovetop or a hot pad that won’t be ruined by heat.
• Never put foil or metal in the microwave. Use only microwave-safe containers to heat food in the microwave. Ask an adult if you're not sure if it's a safe container.

Helpful hints to get kids started in the kitchen

• Before you start, always check with an adult to make sure it’s OK to use the kitchen.
• If you have long hair, pull it back to keep it out of your way.
• Always wash your hands with soap and dry them before touching any food.
• Read the recipe all the way through before starting. Ask an adult if you don’t understand something.
• Before you start, gather all the ingredients and kitchen tools you need for the recipe (mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, cutting board, scraper).
• Carefully measure all the ingredients and double check before you dump them in. Read the recipe again at the end to make sure you haven’t left anything out.

Cleanup ideas for kids

• Clean up as you go. Put away ingredients, and put used tools in the sink. If you spill, wipe it up right away.
• Wash tools with warm soapy water. Leave them to drain, or dry them with a clean towel. Put everything away in its proper place.
• Wipe down counters and leave the kitchen neat and clean.