Kitchen Safety: Preventing Burns and Scalds (4 of 7) | WorkSafeBC

Summary

This video emphasizes kitchen safety, focusing on preventing burns and scalds. Key tips include using oven mitts, handling hot objects with care, and lifting lids away from your body to avoid steam burns. It highlights the importance of communicating with others when working with hot pans and being cautious around oil to prevent fires. In case of a burn, seeking proper medical attention is crucial, as home remedies like butter can worsen the injury. The video stresses the balance between efficiency and maintaining a safe, clean kitchen environment.

Takeaways

• 😀 Always assume that objects are hot rather than assuming they are not to prevent burns.
• 😀 Use oven mitts or dry cloths when handling hot objects to protect your hands from burns.
• 😀 Lift pot lids away from your body to prevent steam burns when checking contents.
• 😀 Steam from hot foods or liquids can cause severe burns, so handle with caution.
• 😀 When putting food into a pan, ensure you are moving it away from your body to avoid splashes.
• 😀 Never let pot handles extend over the edge of the stove or other burners to prevent accidental burns.
• 😀 Always take your time when handling hot objects and ensure you have the proper equipment.
• 😀 Announce your presence when approaching someone with a hot pot or pan to prevent accidents.
• 😀 If you are carrying a hot pan, be mindful of others, especially around blind corners.
• 😀 Never use water to extinguish an oil fire; instead, cover the flames with a fire-smothering blanket or damp cloth.
• 😀 Seek proper medical attention for burns, as home remedies like gels, creams, or butter are not effective.

Q & A

What is the main safety hazard in the kitchen discussed in the transcript?

The main safety hazard discussed is burns and scalds, which are common kitchen accidents.

What is the best way to handle hot objects in the kitchen?

The best way to handle hot objects is to always use oven mitts or dry cloths, and to assume that an object is hot rather than assuming it's not.

What should you do when checking the contents of a hot pot?

When checking the contents of a hot pot, lift the lid so it opens away from your body to avoid burns from steam.

Why is steam from a hot pot considered dangerous?

Steam from a hot pot is dangerous because it can cause severe burns, even more so than the direct heat from the pot itself.

How should you put food into a pan to avoid splashes?

When putting food into a pan, use a motion away from your body so that if there is a splash, it will go away from you, not towards you.

What is the danger of having pan handles extend over the edge of the stove?

If pan handles extend over the edge of the stove or other burners, it increases the risk of accidentally knocking the pan over, leading to burns or spills.

What should you do when carrying a hot pan around someone?

You should announce your presence when carrying a hot pan around someone, especially if you're moving it behind them, to avoid accidents.

What should you do if you have an oil fire in the kitchen?

If you have an oil fire, turn off the gas and cover the flames with a fire-smothering blanket or damp cloth. For larger fires, use a wet chemical extinguisher.

Why is it not recommended to use water to extinguish an oil fire?

Water should never be used to extinguish an oil fire because it can cause the oil to splatter and spread the fire, making the situation much worse.

What should you do if you get a burn in the kitchen?

If you get a burn, avoid using gels, creams, or butter. Seek proper first aid and medical attention as soon as possible.