Keeping Seniors Safe In The Kitchen

It is always important to keep Seniors Safe In The Kitchen. But, it can be difficult when they are so independent and refuse to take advice from their loved ones! Here are some tips that will help you keep them and the kitchen safe, while still respecting their independence.

In Case Of An Accident

• If you have an "Alexa" in the home, read our article about "Alexa Guard skills"
• Keep a list of emergency numbers handy, and make sure the seniors know where it is.
• Make sure the elderly have a Mobile phone, and know how to use it.
• Make sure seniors have a Medical Alert Systems with Fall Detection.
• Make sure smoke detector are functioning properly.
• Teach older adults what to do in case of a cut.
• Teach older adults what to do in case of a burn from hot water.
• Make sure there is a fire extinguisher or fire stop handy and the seniors know how to use it. 
• Have a "FYJENNICC Fire Blanket" handy, and make sure the elderly know how to use it.

Make The Floor Safe

• Get rid of any slippery rugs or mats near the kitchen doorways, or in the kitchen, and replace them with nonslip ones.
• Put a mat in front of the sink to avoid slipping.
• Keep appliance cords out from underfoot with cord coasters.

Appliances

• Make sure all the appliances are in good working order.
• Read our article about Safety Gadgets. 
• Replace knobs with levers to make them easier to use.

• Install a stove guard to prevent falls from happening.
• Replace knobs with levers to make them easier to use.
• Buy a SIMPLE microwave for the elderly (fewer buttons are better).
• Try to use automatic "shut-off" where ever possible, kettles, iron and so on..
• For gas stove use "iGuard" Automatic Stove Shut Off Device.
• Increase storage area at low level, it will be more accessible. 

Important Rules For Kitchen Safety

One of the most critical safety rules in the kitchen is never to let your hands touch anything, not your own. The same applies to cutting boards and knives. Never let foods touch each other, and wash produce before using it. Never use raw meat or poultry without preparing it first. These are just a few rules that you must follow and observe regarding kitchen safety. They will prevent several potential accidents and keep you safe while cooking and baking.

Wash your hands often at home

The safest way to prevent foodborne illness is to wash your hands frequently. Even if you're not in the kitchen, clean hands are your best defense against the COVID-19 virus. This virus can be spread from person to person and lives on door handles and menus. To avoid getting sick, wash your hands often and thoroughly.
For proper hand hygiene, wet our hands and use soap. This way, wet hands don't harbor germs, thereby preventing cross-contamination. The CDC recommends washing hands after handling raw meats, meat, poultry, and trash. Also, don't forget to wash your hands after handling animals or changing diapers. 

Prevent cross-contamination of foods.

To keep your food safe, follow the best sanitary kitchen practices. Cross-contamination can cause food to get contaminated during storage, cooking, and serving. In addition, it can also affect the quality of your food.

To avoid cross-contamination, you need to familiarize your staff with sanitary kitchen practices and use the appropriate products and equipment. Here is a checklist of essential kitchen practices.

Using separate utensils for raw meats is another way to prevent cross-contamination. Raw meats are known for spreading foodborne pathogens to other foods. Use different utensils when preparing these foods. You should avoid using the microwave to thaw foods because bacteria multiply rapidly at 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Washing raw meat isn't enough, either. You can spread bacteria by washing it with dirty water, and you can even cross-contaminate your food by preparing it with contaminated food.

Always wash produce

Although it might seem like an unnecessary extra step, you should always wash your produce before preparing it. This is true of fruits and vegetables, whether they are raw or cooked. Produce is often exposed to many different bacteria and particles during the shipping, packaging, and storage process. You never know what lettuce has touched or where it has been sitting for too long. By washing it first, you increase its freshness and safety.

Produce should be washed before use, whether preparing a salad or a side dish. Fruits and vegetables are nature's candy, but they are often dirty even though they may look beautiful. Contaminated produce is a common source of foodborne illness and can cause several serious health issues, especially in young children and those with weakened immune systems.

So, you should wash your produce before preparing it and serving it to your customers. 

Meat, including raw cuts, is often contaminated with pathogens. Many common foodborne pathogens, including salmonella, E. coli, norovirus, and hepatitis A, can spread through unwashed meat.

In addition, washing meat with plain running water does not kill harmful bacteria and pathogens. This practice may apply bacteria to other surfaces and raw foods. It's best to rinse the meat thoroughly before cooking.

The most common mistake that people make while cooking meat is to wash it in the kitchen. Though this practice may have been necessary decades ago, it is now unnecessary. Meat is cleaned during processing. There's no need to wash poultry in the kitchen.

In addition, the chemicals and soaps used in washing meat could contaminate the food. Consequently, washing meat with soaps and detergents is a bad idea. Instead, always transfer raw meat directly to a pan.

Always cook food to proper temperatures

You should always cook your food to the proper temperatures to destroy harmful pathogens. Cooking to the correct temperatures is crucial for food safety because harmful contaminants cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted.

The proper internal temperature of foods varies depending on the type. For example, sausages and mince should not be pink when done, and the juices should be clear. To determine the proper cooking temperature, use a food thermometer.

It's essential to understand the difference between raw and cooked meat and why it's essential to cook meat to the proper temperature. Uncooked meat can contain dangerous bacteria, which can cause food poisoning. Cooking food to the appropriate temperature helps destroy harmful bacteria and is safer for human consumption. Remember to use a food thermometer to make sure your meat is cooked thoroughly. For example, if you're making burgers or sausages, check the internal temperature with the thermometer before serving.

General

• Place nonslip strips by the edge of counter tops so they don't get wet when washing dishes.
• Teach the elderly how to use an oven mitt and stay away from hot pots of water on the stove top.
• Make sure they have enough light while cooking, especially when using sharp utensils like knives or scissors.
• Make sure they have proper steps to get items out of reach.
• Clean cluttered areas.
• Replace any glass items with plastic. 
• Get a safe stool for the kitchen, read our article about Furniture for the Elderly.