Despite common misconceptions, the kitchen is not the most dangerous room in the house. That particular honor goes to the bathroom, believe it or not. However, between sharp knives, hot stoves, and nasty germs, there are still plenty of reasons to teach your children the rules of kitchen safety.
1. Wash Your Hands
To be fair, knowing when and how to wash your hands is a safety lesson for life overall, not just in the kitchen. However, kids need to get into the habit of washing them well and often if they plan to prepare food.
2. Go Slow
Despite what they see on television, meals aren’t often made in 30 magic minutes. Good things take time, and going slow in the kitchen ensures that your kids won’t be dropping, bumping, or misusing dangerous tools that can cause accidents.
3. Prevent Kitchen Fires
Between 2010 and 2014, fire departments in the U.S. responded to over 166,000 residential fires involving cooking equipment. Avoid becoming another statistic by going over the basics of kitchen fire safety with kids. Teach them to never use the stove unsupervised and to always call an adult in case of emergency. Always keep a fire extinguisher handy in case of a grease fire or other mishap.
4. Use Knives Properly
If your children are old enough to use knives, teaching them how to do so properly will help prevent injury. Show them how to cut away from the skin and to always use a sharp knife because dull ones are more likely to slip.
5. Clean Up as You Go
A clean kitchen is nice, but it’s also safer. Wiping up spills, throwing away used materials, and generally keeping the kitchen clean as you go prevents accidents as you cook.
***
Teaching your children to cook is an essential life lesson, but you want to make sure they learn this skill safely. Go over the essential rules with them and make sure they are comfortable asking questions. The safer they are in the kitchen, the more they will enjoy it.
Daniel Sherwin
Daniel is a single dad raising two children. At DadSolo.com, he aims to provide other single dads with information and resources to help them better equip themselves on the journey that is parenthood.
If you Like this, please Follow us and Share this with your friends. Also, we'd love to hear from you, leave a comment below.
Recent Comments