Kitchen Skills: Kitchen Safety

Are you up to speed on kitchen safety? There’s nothing worse, or scary, than trying to bake something up with your little one and then having them get hurt instead. Burning themselves on the hot oven or cutting themselves does not make for fond memories and can put a small fear into them that may make them stop helping out in the kitchen altogether. Taking a few minutes to explain some rules and going over some essential kitchen safety tips will hopefully ensure a fun, safe time in the kitchen for all.

Keeping Safe in the Kitchen

Here are my top 5 kitchen safety tips. I hope this list of what to do and watch for in the kitchen, regardless of age, to keep things safe in the kitchen is helpful. It’s not an all-inclusive list, but I feel it’s a good starting point. You know your kids best and can guide them properly when they are in the kitchen.

1. Clean Hands to Start

Proper hand washing skills are essential! Teach kids to sing the ABC song a couple of times while washing with soap and water so that their hands are squeaky clean for baking. Kids should also tie long hair back and consider wearing an apron to protect clothes from spills.

2. Clean Your Workspace

Make sure that your work surface is clean from dirt and bacteria. Always wash down your counters, especially if you had meat out prior to any baking you do. It’s also a good idea to keep the surface clean as you bake too. Crack an egg and get some on the counter? Clean it up right away.

3. Proper Oven and Stove Usage

Never let young kids use an oven without adult supervision. Teach kids the right way to turn on an oven, how to change temperatures and how to turn on a burner on the stove. Always use potholders versus a towel to remove something from the oven, as a towel may not be thick enough and get too hot for little hands.

If you’re making something on the stove, teach kids to keep handles turned to the sides so nobody accidentally hits and knocks off a hot pan. And never leave the stove unattended while cooking or baking something and be sure to turn things off when done.

4. Age-Appropriate Tasks are a Must

While everyone may want to help in the kitchen, not everyone may be able to do all tasks safely. Be sure to hand out age-appropriate tasks to keep everyone safe. Younger bakers can measure dry ingredients easily while older bakers can crack eggs and use a whisk to beat things together. While young ones shouldn’t use a sharp knife to cut things up like fruit, a plastic knife may be a good way to start.

5. Handling Equipment

Be sure to teach your older bakers how to use kitchen equipment, like a mixer. Never place hands near a mixer when it’s moving or they can get hurt by the attachments. If using a food processor, be sure to take extreme care when placing the blade in the machine or taking it out to be washed. Also, be sure to never place hands or tools in the food processor when it’s running. Even hand immersion blenders have sharp blades, so be cautious.

For other kitchen skills kids should know, check out Kitchen Skills: Measuring Wet or Dry Ingredients. Looking for an easy snack to make with young kids? Then take a look at Nut Free Energy Bites or Fruit Parfaits Kids Will Love.

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