Getting your kids into the kitchen to help cook and prepare the family meal is a great way to teach them about nutrition and encourage healthy attitudes about food and eating.
But with sharp knives and electrical equipment, the kitchen can
also be a dangerous place. Before kids cook, it's very important
that you all understand and use proper safety rules.
Certain steps are also important to make sure that food does not
spoil. This will help keep you and your family from getting
sick.
Kitchen Safety
Give young cooks constant supervision.
Don't let children handle knives, blenders, food
processors or other electrical or sharp equipment without adult
supervision or with wet hands. An adult should also be there when
lighting matches, opening the oven or turning on the stove.
Prevent unsafe situations.
Wipe up spills right away. It's easier to get them up when they're fresh, and you won't slip on a wet floor.
Secure loose clothing and pull hair back. Roll up your sleeves and tie an apron around your waist.
Never stand on a chair to get height. If necessary, use a child-size or small, secure stool.
Avoid burns.
Keep pot handles turned away from the edge of the stove so they don't catch on anything and spill over.
Use oven mitts when handling hot pots or oven racks.
Food Safety
Cook
Do not eat raw dough that contains eggs because raw eggs can make you sick.
Clean
Wash hands with soap and hot water before handling food and ingredients. To be sure you wash them clean enough, sing the ABC song or count to 20 while you scrub.
Chill
Refrigerate or freeze uncooked food, prepared food, and leftovers within two hours.
Separate
If you're cutting up raw meat or fish, be sure to wash the knives or cutting boards in hot soapy water before you use them for anything else. Otherwise, you might spread bacteria that can make you sick.
