Kitchen accidents are very common, and you probably know that. However, what many of you might not know is how often these accidents can turn deadly.
According to a 2023 statistics report by Gitnux, it’s been stated that in the US, almost 90 percent of all home fires start in the kitchen and are caused by cooking. Globally, 35 percent of all home fires originate from kitchens. Around 160,000 children are injured in kitchen-related accidents every year in the US.
These are some harrowing numbers, and they all paint a very grim picture of how fatal kitchen accidents can get. That’s why, if you’re cooking at home, seldom or regularly, you should know about these accidents and how you can avoid them.
In this article, we’ll tell you about six kitchen accidents that you, as a home cook, should know about so that you can avoid them completely and ensure the safety of you and your loved ones at home.
#1 Knife Mishaps
The Gitnux statistics compilation post mentioned earlier also reports that more than 33 percent of all kitchen-related injuries involve knives. Sharp and efficient tools for slicing and dicing, knives can also cause serious injuries when mishandled. They are also likely to harm you if you’re not paying attention when using them.
If you want to avoid knife mishaps, you must always use a sharp knife while maintaining a firm grip on the handle. The sharpness of the knife will let you cut things smoothly without having to exert a lot of pressure and risk cuts. While using the knife, you need to keep your fingers away and also use a cutting board with a non-slip surface to prevent the item you’re cutting from sliding around.
#2 Burns and Scalds
Did you know that 60 percent of cooking fires usually start when you ignite your stove? According to Gitnux, even without a fire, just hot stovetops, boiling water, and sizzling pans also pose a constant risk of burns and scalds. To prevent burns and scalds in your home kitchen, you must be very mindful of your surroundings.
At the same time, you have to use oven mitts and pot holders when handling hot cookware instead of using your bare hands. The pot handles must be held inward to avoid spills.
However, in some cases, prevention is the only option, as some burns are deadlier than others, like in the case of a pressure cooker explosion. You might be thinking, “Can a pressure cooker explode?” The straight-up answer is yes, they can. Pressure cooker explosions, although not very common, do take place and can lead to severe burns and injuries.
According to TorHoerman Law, most pressure cooker explosions take place because of manufacturing defects. That’s why you have to be very careful when purchasing these products as well as while using them. Always buy from authentic brands and dealers who have a decent safety record. Also, make sure you’re following the manufacturer’s guide while using the pressure cooker to avoid any sort of mishap.
#3 Slip and Fall Incidents
The kitchen floor is often exposed to spills. Such spills are natural inside a kitchen, but they are a potential hazard for slips and falls.
Clean up any spills immediately, and ensure that the floor is dry before continuing your cooking activities. Consider placing slip-resistant mats near the sink and stove to provide additional traction and reduce the risk of accidents.
#4 Electrical Shock
With the growing presence of electrical appliances in the kitchen, the risk of electrical shock is always present. Usually, these accidents take place because of faulty wiring, loose connections, and other product-related faults.
Before using electrical appliances in the kitchen, make sure that all the cords and outlets are in good condition. Never use the appliances when you have wet hands or are standing on a wet floor. You must also not yank the appliance cords when trying to unplug them.
#5 Cuts from Can Lids
From fruits and vegetables to dairy products and meat, everything these days is available in cans. Opening cans with sharp edges can result in cuts and injuries.
Instead of using your fingers to open a can, invest in a good-quality can opener. It not only makes the process easier but also eliminates the risk of sharp lid edges. After opening a can, dispose of the lid properly to prevent accidental cuts while handling the trash.
#6 Fire Hazards
Fire hazards are, without a doubt, the leading cause of fires in home kitchens. Whether it be from cooking or because of a defective electrical appliance, there’s no telling when and how a fire might start in your kitchen, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything about it.
Here are some of the ways you can easily avoid fire hazards inside your home kitchen.
- Never leave your cooking unattended, especially when cooking on a stove, frying, or grilling.
- Keep flammable objects like towels, mitts, tissues, etc., away from the stove.
- Have a fire extinguisher nearby at all times, ideally right outside the kitchen, to put out any flames, especially in case of grease fires.
- Lastly, install a fire or smoke detector in your home kitchen for added safety.
Kitchens can be very dangerous when you’re not careful, but when you’re cautious, it doesn’t have to be so. Therefore, you should always prioritize your safety and well-being inside your home kitchen, and sticking to the suggestions we’ve discussed above will help you go a long way in ensuring that.
