Having your kids in the kitchen and teaching them to cook can be a lot of fun, but it can also be dangerous if necessary precautions are not taken. What seems obvious to us moms may not be to your kids. Here are a few good kitchen safety rules to go over with your children.
Kitchen safety
Sharp knives. Only if your Grown-up helper says it is okay, should you chop or slice ingredients. Be sure to use a cutting board. When you cut, turn the knife blade away from your, and keep the fingers that are holding the food away from the blade.
Mixers and blenders. Turn off the blender or mixer before you scrape the sides of the container or bowl, so that the scraper will not get caught in the blades. Turn off the mixer and unplug it before you take the beaters out of the mixer. Pull on the plug, not the cord when you disconnect it.
Potholders. Use good, thick, strong potholders, not ones that are thin or wet, when you put something in or take it out of the oven. In fact, use a potholder when you are handling anything hot.
Pan handles. turn the handles of any pots and pans on the stove top toward the center of the stove so they will not tip over or catch on anything. That will help keep you from getting burned or splashed with hot food. Make sure that the handles are not over another burner!
Draining water. Food like macaroni are cooked in lots of boiling water. All that water makes the saucepan heavy, and the boiling water makes steam that could burn you. Your Grown-up Helper needs to be there and lend you a hand.
Microwave tips and precautions. Foods that are cooked in a microwave oven can get very hot, especially if they are covered during cooking. Use potholders to remove dishes from the microwave. Lift the edge of the cover away from you first when removing a lid or cover from dishes. Be sure to use the right dishes, like microwave-safe plastic or glass. Do not use metal pans, foil or moms best crystal.
Going over these basic kitchen safety tips should ensure that your kids stay safe in the kitchen. I needed a few of these reminders myself. I am notorious for grabbing something hot out of the microwave or giving myself a steam bath when draining pasta. Do you have any additional safety tips to share?