Accidents happen, especially in the kitchen.
Hot liquids, dangerous substances and sharp objects can be a recipe for injury, given close quarters and hasty preparation. Here’s how to prevent and treat common kitchen mishaps.
first aid
kitchen
to help prevent accidental scalding when boiling water, use the back burners instead of the front. also, carry plates to pots rather than taking pots to plates.
BURNS
Prevention:
How to Treat a Minor Burn:
Wear oven mitts to protect hands and shoes to protect feet.
Use the proper tools, such as tongs, to remove baked potatoes.
Wear long sleeves when working with hot grease or liquids.
Stand back when removing lid from a hot pan or pot; release steam gradually from a steamer.
Stir or lift hot items away from your body.
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Immerse the burn in cool tap water or apply a cold, wet compress for 10 minutes or until pain subsides.
Apply petroleum jelly two to three times a day.
Cover the burn with a nonstick, sterile bandage. If blisters form, do not pierce them.
Once the burn heals, protect the area from sun to minimize scarring.
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TopCare Non-Stick Pads:
Gauze pad will not adhere to sutures, staples or adhesive closures.
TopCare Petroleum Jelly:
Protect minor cuts, scrapes and burns.
*Seek Immediate medical attention for second- and
third-degree burns affecting multiple skin layers.
poison
call Poison control or 911 and inform them what product was ingested.
Prevention:
What to do:
Keep dangerous chemicals and products capped and locked away.
If the product swallowed is burning, irritating or capable of destroying living tissue and the person is conscious, able to swallow and not experiencing convulsions, have them drink a small amount of water immediately. Then call Poison Control. If the person collapses, has a seizure, has difficulty breathing or is unresponsive, call 911 immediately.
*800-222-1222
kitchen
safety tips
eye irritation
Prevention:
Wear protective gloves when handling hot peppers and other foods with volatile oils that can burn skin and irritate eyes. Wear rubber gloves and goggles when cleaning with volatile chemicals.
Use an eyecup to flush eyes with cool, clean water. If the irritant is hot peppers, you also can dab eyelids with milk, if needed. With chemicals, look for information on the label of the product and follow instructions.
How to Treat Eye Irritation:
*Seek Immediate medical attention for physical eye injuries or if eyes were exposed to caustic chemicals (those that burn or destroy tissue).
falls
*Seek Immediate medical attention for broken bones or if there is a sign of a serious injury such as severe or lingering pain, headache, dizziness, back pain or ringing in the ears.
slip-and-fall injuries are the second leading cause of accidental death in the u.s. and result in 2.8 million hospital visits yearly.
Prevention:
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Place a nonskid, water-absorbent mat in front of the sink and dishwasher.
Wear slip-resistant shoes in the kitchen.
Clean up spills immediately so the floor isn’t slippery.
How to Treat:
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Avoid moving the body part if there may be a broken bone.
Apply ice to decrease swelling.
CUTS
Prevention:
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Wear shoes to protect feet from sharp falling objects.
Wash knives with blades turned away from your hand.
Wear a cut-resistant metal-mesh glove when using a slicer or mandoline.
Cut away from the body.
Keep knives sharp (dull knives are more apt to slip).
*Seek immediate medical attention for cuts that are deep, bleeding heavily or longer than 1 inch. apply pressure with gauze or a clean towel to slow bleeding and head to the nearest hospital or urgent care facility.
Clean the cut with soap and water, then apply pressure with gauze or a clean, dry towel. Apply an antibiotic ointment and bandage, changing it every day and checking for signs of infection (redness and/or discharge).
How to Treat a Minor Cut:
first aid kit
Johnson & Johnson first aid kit, available at Hy-Vee, includes gauze, bandages, ointment, cold pack and more.
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TopCare Gauze Pads, TopCare Adhesive Bandages and TopCare Triple Antibiotic Ointment: Treat minor cuts to prevent infections; bandages are available in an assortment of sizes.
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TopCare Gauze Pads
TopCare Adhesive Bandages
TopCare Triple Antibiotic Ointment
kid safety
while it’s great to involve kids with cooking, it’s even more important to keep them safe.
Teach young kids not to run in the kitchen or climb on the counter.
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Install safety latches on cabinets holding items that might pose a risk to young children (even seemingly benign items like single-use dishwasher packets, which could be harmful if swallowed).
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Supervise young children when they are in the kitchen, and set down safety rules for older children using the kitchen when you’re not around.
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Use plastic cups and bowls instead of glass.
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Stash away any potentially harmful items, including alcohol, plastic bags and dispensers with serrated edges, such as those for plastic wrap, aluminum foil and waxed paper.
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Seal off electrical outlets with safety plugs.
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Keep spices safely out of kids’ reach.
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Unplug appliances such as toasters, blenders and food processors when not in use.
tip 1
Electrical outlets: Install GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets to reduce risk of injury, especially in potentially wet or damp areas.
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Knives: Store knives separately from other utensils so they aren’t grabbed by mistake. A countertop knife holder offers safe and easy access.
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Stove top: Turn pot and pan handles inward to prevent accidentally bumping them and spilling hot contents.
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Dishes and glasses: To prevent falls, arrange cabinets so dishes, glasses and other frequently used items are easy to reach without a chair or stool.
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Cabinets: Store cleaning chemicals away from foods and beverages and place childproof devices on cabinet doors.
BeKool Soft Gel Sheets:
Immediate cooling relief lasts up to 8 hours with no need for refrigeration.
VIEW SOURCES
aad.org
stanfordchildrens.org
poison.org
uofmhealth.org
aao.org
healthychildren.org
bassadvancedurgentcare.com
parents.com
photo IfH/Shutterstock (burner)
Accidents happen, especially in the kitchen. Hot liquids, dangerous substances and sharp objects can be a recipe for injury, given close quarters and hasty preparation. Here’s how to prevent and treat common kitchen mishaps.
Teach young kids not to run in the kitchen or climb on the counter.
Install safety latches on cabinets holding items that might pose a risk to young children (even seemingly benign items like single-use dishwasher packets, which could be harmful if swallowed).
Supervise young children when they are in the kitchen, and set down safety rules for older children using the kitchen when you’re not around.
Use plastic cups and bowls instead of glass.
Stash away any potentially harmful items, including alcohol, plastic bags and dispensers with serrated edges, such as those for plastic wrap, aluminum foil and waxed paper.