Most people really look forward to the holiday season. It’s the most exciting and fun time of the year, full of shopping, fellowship, fun with friends and family and of course, some of the best eating all year. Of course, the kitchen carries a lot of dangers, and it’s important to keep your holidays safe so your fun doesn’t get ruined by accidents and injuries. Learn these tips for staying safe in the kitchen this holiday season, and how a personal injury lawyer can help if you become injured.
The Basics of Safety
The basics of kitchen safety come from using common sense and being careful. Keep your eyes open, don’t leave the stove unattended, and keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Make sure your smoke alarms are working and have fresh batteries installed, and just exercise good care.
Clothing and Jewelry
Do you think wearing an apron is cheesy? Think again! Fastening an apron around you does more than just protect against splashes and spills. It also restrains loose clothing that can come too close to fire. Wear tight sleeves and use pot holders or gloves to handle hot surfaces. Watch the dangling jewelry as well—it can get caught and cause serious injuries and burns.
While you’re at it, if you’ve got long hair keep it tied back and away from the food. A hair net might not be a bad idea!
Watch out for Bacteria
Food poisoning is one of the most common problems faced during the holiday season. Bacteria are everywhere, and cross-contamination can cause major illness. Keep your meats, poultry, seafood and vegetables separated. Wash your hands thoroughly and often—especially after handling raw foods.
When you cook, make sure your food hits an internal temperature of at least 140 degrees, and that you can keep it either warmer than 140 or cooler than 40. Food between these two temperatures is in the “danger zone” for bacteria growth. Food safety is no joke; be aware of the dangers of bacteria and foodborne illnesses.
Knives and Sharp Objects
Keep the blades of your knives away from areas where they could accidentally hurt someone. If you have a knife block, store them there. If you use a drawer, make sure the blades point in. Never drop a knife into a sink of dishwater where you might accidentally grab the blade. Keep sharp objects back and away from areas where kids can reach them.
Getting in Touch With a Personal Injury Lawyer
Of course, accidents aren’t always in your kitchen and they’re not always your fault. If you happen to be out and about this holiday season, you could suffer a slip and fall, cut, or other injury based on the negligence or actions of another person. When this happens, you’re entitled to compensation for your injuries.
If you do get injured this holiday season and it’s someone else’s fault, and you need to call on the services of a qualified personal injury lawyer, we are ready to help
