In this article

How to handle heat Hygiene rules

Basic skills Fun in the kitchen

Cooking birthday party Child-friendly recipes

Playing it safe

Handling knives and sharp tools

Children will readily find out that cooking can be fun, but it’s important to make sure that they know about safety issues, too. Here are some essentials to teach your children:

1. Never hold ingredients in your hand when cutting.
2. Keep a good grip on the handle of a knife and cut with the blade pointing away from you. Keep your fingers well clear of the blade. It can help when cutting vegetables to spear the vegetable with a fork, hold the fork with one hand and cut with the other.
3. Walk, don’t run in the kitchen. Always move cautiously when holding sharp tools.
4. Wash sharp tools individually. Never put sharp knives or other sharp items in a washing-up bowl with other utensils, you might forget they are there and grab a blade or a sharp edge by mistake.
5. Never put your hand in a food processor while it is plugged in.

Tip:

Use your judgement to decide when your child is able to handle sharp knives safely. Sharp knives are actually much safer to handle than dull ones. Blunt knives are more likely to slip because you need to use more pressure to cut things. If you teach your child how to use a small sharp knife sensibly, he or she will be able to cut things more easily - and it’s far better to learn under adult supervision than independently.

Hot ovens, hobs, boiling water and steam all present possible dangers. Here are some guidelines on how to ensure that safety comes first:

1. Always use oven gloves when handling hot things.
2. Steam from a hot saucepan or kettle can burn, so take care when you lift the lid or when you pour.
3. If using an electric hob remember that it will remain hot for quite some time after you turn it off.
4. Don't get too close to the gas burner when you switch it on - often there is a burst of flames when it’s first lit.
5. Never leave a cooking spoon in a pan when something is cooking.
6. Take care when frying as hot fat can splatter.
7. Be careful of the heat when you open the door of the oven.
8. Don’t put hot saucepans onto a kitchen work surface without putting them on a heatproof mat first.
9. Remember to turn off the oven, cooker or grill when you have finished cooking.

Tip:

Water and electricity do not mix. Never use wet hands to turn on a switch or pull out a plug. Always dry your hands carefully before touching anything electric.