Kitchen Hazards

Fire

• Fire is a common kitchen hazard. Cooking food over high heat, especially gas heat, can be dangerous if the proper precautions are not taken. Grease buildup on your stovetop and hood can lead to grease fires, as can crumbs beneath stove eyes and stuck to the bottom of your oven. Similarly, leaving food on the stove unattended or cooking foods at a higher heat than necessary may also lead to fire. Other cooking appliances like the microwave, toaster and toaster oven may also pose a fire hazard if not cleaned regularly and kept in good working order. A fire extinguisher should be kept in the kitchen in case of fire.

Raw Meat

• Food poisoning can occur when raw meats are not handled properly in the kitchen. Rinsing raw chicken and other meats can cause bacteria to spread around your sink, floor and countertop, notes the website Chow; instead of rinsing, pat meat dry before cooking. The risk of food poisoning from raw meats and poultry can be reduced by washing your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap after touching raw meat and cleaning and sanitizing countertops and sinks. Food poisoning can also occur when raw meat leaks onto other foods in the refrigerator, so wrap meat tightly or place in an airtight storage container, and place raw meats on the bottom shelf of your refrigerator to avoid contaminating other foods.

Chemicals

• Chemicals kept in the kitchen, from your counter cleaner to bug spray, can be dangerous, especially when they come in contact with food, notes the website The Home Know-It-All. Contamination can be reduced by storing chemicals away from food or in another room and using care when cleaning sinks and countertops. For example, if you sanitize your sink, rinse it completely or allow it to dry before using that sink to clean vegetables. Keep your children safe in the kitchen by storing chemicals out of reach or using locks to childproof your kitchen. Vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice are natural cleaning agents that can be used instead of harsh chemicals.

Knife Safety

• Cooking often requires cutting, slicing and chopping of meat and vegetables, so naturally cuts are bound to occur. Accidents can be prevented by using the correct knife for the job; for example, don't use a fillet knife to chop potatoes. Knives that are not sharp make it more difficult to cut foods.