7 Kitchen Safety Tips To Teach Your Kids

As we move into the holiday season there are many opportunities for our kids to want to join in with helping make treats and meals for the family. There are many safety considerations to keep in mind to keep them safe and have some fun so play safe so everyone has fun!

1. ALWAYS ASK AN ADULT’S PERMISSION BEFORE COOKING IN THE KITCHEN - This may seem self-evident at first, but as your children become more at ease and independent in the kitchen, they may forget to ask. My little chef is often rummaging around in the kitchen, hoping to surprise the family with one of his creations. But, as nice as that sounds, I have to tell him that, even if he is doing all the labor, an adult must be present to ensure his safety.
2. CLEAN YOUR HANDS - Big germs are frequently carried by small hands. Food safety begins with clean hands, which should be the first step before touching any food or appliance. Simply remind your child of what they've been touching and ask whether they'd like it in their dinner. In my house, this always elicits a "eeewwww."
3. CONTINUE TO CLEAN AS YOU GO - Slips and falls can be avoided by cleaning up spills and messes as you go. It also makes it easy to clean up the kitchen at the end of the day. "Remember Your ABCs: Always Be Cleaning," we say at The Step Stool Chef.
4. TO CARRY AND HOLD HOT ITEMS, USE A POTHOLDER OR TOWEL. - Attempting to handle hot plates, pots, or appliances might result in burns or food spillage. Get them a bright towel or potholder that's just for them so they'll want to use it.
5. GOOD KNIFE SAFETY TIPS SHOULD BE PRACTICED - At a young age, I taught my children how to wield a knife. We started with plastic to-go knives when the kids were toddlers, then moved to more kid-friendly plastic knives in preschool and kindergarten. My eight-year-old has progressed to using kitchen and chef knives. I feel that teaching your children how to use a knife properly is safer than training them to avoid using one at all.
6. BEFORE YOU LICK, ASK - My children enjoy licking everything... Their fingers, plates, forks, and even the countertops... Please don't pass judgment on me). To ensure that your children do not swallow raw foods that could make them sick, teach them that they must ask before licking.
7.  LISTEN LISTEN LISTEN - This should be rule number one, two, and three. Cooking with your children is an excellent method to improve their listening skills and practice following instructions. We often talk about "Listening Before You Act" since my kids are so eager to get started. This is a fantastic technique to ensure that they don't injure themselves while having fun because they touched anything hot, sharp, or slippery.