Category: Quick Guide / Cooking & Nutrition

⚡ Kitchen Safety for Beginners

Cooking is easier and less stressful when you know how to prevent common accidents.

Before preparing food, take a few minutes to clear the workspace, gather what you need, and check that the kitchen is safe.

Start Here

Before cooking:

• Wash your hands
• Tie back long hair
• Secure loose sleeves
• Wear closed-toe, nonslip shoes
• Clear clutter from the floor
• Clean up spills
• Move flammable objects away from the stove
• Make sure pot handles and appliance cords are secure
• Check that smoke alarms work
• Keep children and pets away from hot surfaces

Remain in the kitchen whenever you are frying, grilling, broiling, or cooking with high heat.

Call 911 If:

• A fire is spreading
• You cannot control a fire immediately
• The room is filling with smoke
• Someone is having difficulty breathing
• Someone has a serious burn
• Someone is bleeding heavily
• Someone is unconscious
• Someone is choking and cannot breathe, speak, or cough effectively
• Someone has received an electrical shock and is injured or unresponsive

Leave the home before calling if remaining inside is unsafe.

Do not return to a burning building for belongings, pets, or cooking equipment.

1. Keep the Cooking Area Clear

Move these items away from the stove and oven:

• Paper towels
• Dish towels
• Oven mitts
• Food packaging
• Grocery bags
• Curtains
• Wooden utensils
• Cookbooks
• Mail
• Cleaning products

Keep at least one clear path to the kitchen exit.

Do not place items on the stove, even when it is turned off. Someone may accidentally activate a burner.

2. Stay With the Food

Unattended cooking is a major fire risk.

When using the stove:

• Stay in the kitchen
• Use a timer
• Check food frequently
• Avoid cooking when extremely tired
• Avoid alcohol or anything that affects alertness
• Turn off burners as soon as cooking is complete

If you must leave the kitchen, turn off the stove.

When baking or roasting, remain at home and use a timer to remind yourself to check the food.

3. Turn Pot Handles Inward

Position pot and pan handles so they:

• Do not extend over the edge of the stove
• Do not point toward another hot burner
• Cannot be bumped
• Cannot be reached by children

Use the back burners when practical.

Do not leave a long spoon or utensil resting in a pot where it can become hot or cause the pot to tip.

4. Prevent Burns

Use:

• Dry oven mitts
• Pot holders in good condition
• Long-handled utensils
• Splatter guards when appropriate
• Caution when removing lids

Open lids and coverings away from your face so steam escapes in the opposite direction.

Never use a wet towel or damp oven mitt to handle hot cookware. Moisture can transfer heat quickly and cause a burn.

Assume that cookware, baking sheets, and stove surfaces are hot until they have cooled completely.

5. Use Oil Carefully

When frying or cooking with oil:

• Use a stable pan
• Do not overfill it
• Heat the oil gradually
• Keep water away from hot oil
• Pat wet food dry when appropriate
• Lower food into the pan carefully
• Remain nearby
• Keep a properly fitting lid within reach
• Turn off the burner if the oil begins smoking

Do not pour water onto hot oil. Water can cause the oil to splatter violently.

Allow used cooking oil to cool completely before moving or disposing of it.

6. Know What to Do During a Pan Fire

If a small fire starts in a pan:

1. Turn off the burner if you can do so safely.
2. Slide a metal lid or baking sheet over the pan.
3. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cool.
4. Leave the home and call 911 if the fire does not go out immediately.

Never:

• Pour water on a grease or oil fire
• Carry a burning pan
• Use a glass lid that may break from heat
• Fan the flames
• Try to fight a spreading fire

Use a fire extinguisher only if you know how to use it, the fire is small, and you have a clear escape route behind you.

When in doubt, leave and call 911.

Helpful Resources: Browse Fire Extinguishers & Small-Fire Response for products, equipment, services, or supplies related to this section.

7. Use the Oven Safely

Before using the oven:

• Check that nothing is stored inside
• Move flammable items away
• Use cookware designed for oven use
• Confirm the temperature
• Set a timer

When opening the oven:

• Stand to the side
• Open the door slowly
• Allow hot air and steam to escape
• Use dry oven mitts
• Keep your face away from the opening

Never use an oven to heat the home.

Clean grease and food buildup according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

8. Use Knives Safely

When using a knife:

• Work on a stable cutting board
• Keep fingers away from the blade
• Cut away from your body when possible
• Use the correct knife for the task
• Keep the blade sharp
• Focus on what you are doing
• Put the knife down before carrying something else

Do not:

• Try to catch a falling knife
• Leave knives hidden in soapy water
• Use a knife to open cans
• Cut food while holding it in your hand
• Point a knife toward another person

Wash knives separately and store them safely.

9. Prevent Slips and Falls

Reduce fall risks by:

• Cleaning spills immediately
• Keeping floors free of clutter
• Moving cords away from walkways
• Using nonslip mats
• Wearing secure footwear
• Keeping frequently used items within reach
• Using good lighting
• Avoiding loose rugs

Use a stable step stool when necessary.

Never stand on:

• Chairs
• Counters
• Boxes
• Stacked objects
• Unstable stools

Ask for help if an item cannot be reached safely.

10. Use Electrical Appliances Safely

Before using an appliance:

• Read the instructions
• Check the cord and plug
• Make sure your hands are dry
• Place the appliance on a dry, stable surface
• Keep the cord away from heat and water
• Make sure air vents are clear

Do not use an appliance with:

• A frayed cord
• A damaged plug
• Exposed wiring
• A cracked case
• A burning smell
• Sparks
• Unusual heat or noise

Unplug small appliances when they are not being used.

Do not pull the cord to unplug an appliance. Hold the plug instead.

11. Keep Water Away From Electricity

Do not place electrical appliances:

• Beside a full sink
• On wet counters
• Near standing water
• Where they could fall into water

Never reach for an electrical appliance that has fallen into water while it is plugged in.

Turn off the power at the appropriate breaker or disconnect the electricity safely before approaching it. Call for emergency help if anyone has been shocked or injured.

12. Prevent Choking

Reduce choking risks by:

• Cutting food into manageable pieces
• Chewing thoroughly
• Eating while seated upright
• Avoiding talking or laughing with a full mouth
• Following prescribed food-texture instructions
• Supervising anyone who requires assistance while eating

Seek a swallowing evaluation if someone regularly:

• Coughs during meals
• Chokes
• Has difficulty swallowing
• Says food feels stuck
• Develops a wet or gurgling voice after eating
• Loses weight unexpectedly

Call 911 if food is blocking the airway and the person cannot breathe, speak, or cough effectively.

13. Handle Raw Food Safely

Prevent cross-contamination by:

• Washing hands before and after handling food
• Keeping raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs separate
• Using separate cutting boards when possible
• Washing utensils and surfaces after contact with raw food
• Keeping ready-to-eat foods away from raw ingredients
• Never placing cooked food on an unwashed plate that held raw food

Do not wash raw poultry. Splashing water can spread germs around the sink and nearby surfaces.

Use a food thermometer to confirm that foods have reached a safe internal temperature.

14. Store Food Promptly

Refrigerate perishable food and leftovers promptly.

Also:

• Keep the refrigerator cold
• Keep raw meat in a container that prevents leaks
• Label leftovers with the date
• Discard spoiled or questionable food
• Avoid tasting food to determine whether it is safe
• Follow package-storage instructions

When uncertain about the safety of perishable food, throw it away.

15. Store Dangerous Items Securely

Keep these items away from food and out of reach of children or anyone who may not use them safely:

• Cleaning products
• Knives
• Matches
• Lighters
• Alcohol
• Medications
• Pesticides
• Plastic bags
• Appliance blades
• Small choking hazards

Keep cleaning products in their original labeled containers.

Never store chemicals in food or drink containers.

16. Check Fire-Safety Equipment

Make sure the kitchen and home have:

• Working smoke alarms
• Working carbon monoxide alarms
• An appropriate fire extinguisher
• A clear exit
• An emergency plan

Smoke alarms should be installed inside each sleeping room, outside sleeping areas, and on every level of the home. Test them monthly.

Place the fire extinguisher near an exit—not directly beside the stove, where a fire could prevent you from reaching it.

Quick Kitchen Safety Check

Before Cooking

• Wash your hands
• Tie back hair and secure loose clothing
• Clear floors and counters
• Move flammable objects away
• Gather ingredients and tools
• Check appliance cords
• Put on secure footwear
• Make sure children and pets are safely away

While Cooking

• Stay in the kitchen
• Use a timer
• Turn pot handles inward
• Use dry oven mitts
• Keep water away from hot oil
• Use knives on a cutting board
• Keep raw food separate
• Clean spills promptly

After Cooking

• Turn off burners and the oven
• Unplug appropriate appliances
• Refrigerate perishable food
• Clean food-preparation surfaces
• Allow hot cookware to cool safely
• Store knives and chemicals securely
• Confirm that exits remain clear

Remember

Most kitchen accidents can be prevented by slowing down, remaining near the food, and keeping the cooking area clear.

If a fire or other emergency becomes difficult to control, leave immediately and call 911. Your safety is more important than saving the food, cookware, or kitchen.