10 tips for a Less-Cluttered Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the home. And all too often its arteries get clogged with bodies in motion - the perfect place for accidents to happen. Keep your family cooking safely by following these 10 simple rule for a safer, saner kitchen.

1 We don’t touch anything that will go into someone’s mouth until our hands are washed with soap.

2 We don’t cook anything without help unless we’re old enough to have a driver’s license learner’s permit.

3 We always read the entire recipe before we begin cooking to make sure that we have all the ingredients we’ll need.

4 We always turn pot handles away from ourselves. And we put boiling stuff on the back burners only.

5 We always use oven mitts or potholders when handling hot stuff from the oven or stove.

6 We work slowly when chopping or using knives, giving tasks our full attention. And we never pick up knives by their blades. We like our fingers so we use the handles.

7 We do not run or play with knives or sharp objects in our hands.

8 We don’t put our hands in a bowl that has a running mixer inside. We like our entire hand, actually, and make sure we keep it safely away from moving blades. Ditto for blenders.

9 We always make sure the base is tightened and the lid is securely on the blender before we turn it on. (Get tips on How to Clean Small Appliances).

10 We always clean up after a cooking adventure, and before we eat the results. Get 10 tips for an uncluttered kitchen.