Kitchen Tips

Rinse fruits and veggies well with cool running water—no need for soap or cleaners. Keep lettuce and other leafy greens fresh by waiting to wash them until you’re ready to use them.

Always put cooked food on a clean, dry plate. Don’t reuse any plates you had raw ingredients on, especially meat and unwashed vegetables.

Never add water or dripping-wet ingredients to a pan of hot oil. After your used cooking oil has cooled, empty it into an unrecyclable container and throw it away. Never pour it down the drain.

Clean dirty countertops and cutting boards by putting a dash of salt on them, then scrubbing them with a cut lemon.

Never leave pots and pans unattended on the stovetop. Face handles toward the stove so they can’t get caught on loose clothing or get grabbed by curious kids in the kitchen.

When you’re using a knife, always cut away from your body. Once you’re finished, wash knives one at a time. Don’t toss knives into a sink full of soapy water where they can’t be seen.

Keep a fire extinguisher or extinguisher spray in the kitchen. If you can do it safely, smother small flames with a metal lid or with baking soda. Never use water on a grease fire, which will make it worse.

Run cool water over minor cooking burns for 10 to 15 minutes, then loosely cover with clean gauze and burn cream. Seek medical attention if the burn is too large or if it starts to blister.

Keep cleaning supplies, chemicals, and fire extinguishers in a safe place away from the oven and furnace vents. If you can, install childproof locks on kitchen cabinets and on your oven door.

Give the kids simple kitchen tasks, like tearing up herbs or stirring ingredients together. Keep a small, sturdy stool in the kitchen if they can’t safely reach the counters to help.