Safety: Cooking with Children

Shopping and Food Storage:

When running errands, do your grocery shopping on the last stop. This will ensure that foods will not sit for long periods of time in the car. Bring a cooler, if necessary.
Place cold things in your shopping cart last.
Do not purchase bags that are torn, cans that are bent, or food that has expired.
Make sure that meat is wrapped thoroughly so that the juice does not leak onto other foods.
When you return home from a grocery trip, refrigerate or freeze food immediately.
Keep hot foods hot, and cold foods cold; use ice packs in lunches or on picnics if you pack foods that contain eggs, mayonnaise, yogurt, cheese and meats.
If you put a hot dish in the refrigerator, it will warm up the other items in there, making them more likely to spoil. Cool the dish first by placing it in a cool space with the lid ajar for a few minutes.

Wash hands in warm soapy water. Sing the ABC’s while you are washing so that you wash long enough.
Tie long hair back, away from the face, food and appliances.
Roll up long sleeves to prevent them from getting into the food, getting caught in tools, and getting burned on heating elements.
Get a secure stool or stable chair for the child to stand on.
Keep sharp tools away from young children when you are not present. These tools should only be used with adult supervision.
Make sure that everyone has dry hands when handling electrical equipment, such as mixers, toasters and blenders.
Wipe up spills on the floor, to avoid slipping.
If using raw meats or eggs, clean your tools and surfaces immediately afterwards. These foods can contain bacteria that can make you sick.
Do not thaw meats on the counter. Use the microwave or thaw in the refrigerator overnight instead.

Pay attention to items on the stove (don’t walk away to fold the laundry, surf the internet or talk on the phone in the other room). Fires can be caused if items are left unattended.
Do not use appliances near the sink or other water. If you must use an outlet near the sink, make sure that it has an outlet that has a “Ground Fault Interrupter” construction. These precautions can prevent an electrical shock.
If a skin burn should occur, hold the wounded area under running water.
Do not place knives or other sharp tools in a sink or dish full of soapy water. The bubbles could obscure the view and a person could get cut if they reach into the water.
Do not place a hot glass dish or container on a cold or wet surface. It will break.
Make sure that oven mitts are DRY before use. Otherwise they conduct heat and you will get burned.
Never put water on a cooking fire -- it could make the fire bigger. Put out a fire with a fire extinguisher. If the fire is small, it can be put out with baking soda or smothered with a lid. Call 911 if the flames begin leaping into the air or if you are unable to extinguish them.
Do not add water to a pan that contains hot oil. It may splatter and cause burns.
Keep pot and pan handles facing the rear of the stove, so someone doesn’t knock into them by accident.
Keep flammable objects (towels, papers) away from the stove so they don’t catch on fire.
Make sure that foods are thoroughly cooked. Improperly cooked foods can harbor bacteria.

Make sure that ovens and other appliances are turned off before you leave the kitchen.
Store foods in airtight containers to prevent spoilage. If you are uncertain if a food has gone bad, follow this simple rule: “When in doubt, throw it out!”
Wash all dishes and clean all surfaces thoroughly.

Cooking with your child can be a wonderful experience. Don't let this list overwhelm you. Just use common sense and have a great time!