The good people at Ideal Warehouse Innovations continuously put workplace safety a a top priority for the public.

The kitchens in our homes are where we gather as a family to cook food and enjoy each other's company. We entertain guests here with our cooking skills, socialize with visiting family here, and cook everyday treats for ourselves. In short, kitchens are the heart of the home, but they're also one of the most dangerous rooms in the house. Burns, falls, fires, and poisonings are possible here if you don't follow the basic rules for safety in the kitchen. Here they are.

Pay Attention

The best thing you can do to prevent accidents in the kitchen is to pay attention to what you are doing. Don't leave pots on the stove when you go out to pick up the dessert. Watch where you're putting your feet when there are kids and pets in the home, and always keep yourself out of the way of sharp blades. Know which pots will be hot to the touch and when to turn down the heat. Be aware of cabinet doors, drawers, and other tripping/collision hazards.

Clean Up Spills

When you're trying to get through dinner quickly so you can leave for work or school, it can be tempting to leave spills and messes and deal with them later. However, these spills are slipping hazards, attract bugs, and give harmful bacteria a place to go. Additionally, other household members may not be aware there's a spill and have an accident. Therefore you should clean up spills when they happen to keep your kitchen safe.

Handle Food Safely

If you work with a food manufacturer or catering business you're aware of the government mandated food storage and handling rules, but most of us don't work for a food service company. All the same, we need to make sure we follow basic safety rules like always storing meat on the bottom shelf, keeping raw foods and leftovers refrigerated for a maximum of three days, and always making sure we cook our meats to the minimum internal temperature of 71 degrees Celsius.

Keep Safety Equipment Close

No matter how well you follow the rules of kitchen safety, accidents can happen. Our homes should therefore be well stocked to deal with them. Keep a first aid kit handy for cuts and burns and know when it's bad enough to need a doctor's care. Have a kitchen-rated fire extinguisher under the sink in case of fire, and keep a Poison Control pamphlet on the fridge so you'll know what to do just in case. And of course, make sure everyone in the house knows how to dial 9-1-1 and can reach a phone in an emergency.