Food & Kitchen Safety
Staying safe in the kitchen is important when handling food to prevent cross contamination and to prevent cuts, spills, and accidents. Review these tips for food and kitchen safety.

1. Wash your hands before dealing with food and after touching raw or undercooked poultry, beef, pork, or seafood.
2. Only have ingredients out that you need for the dish you are preparing. Clear a space to work to stay organized and keep your space free of clutter.
3. If you have trouble finding utensils or equipment, have a care partner assist in choosing only the items you need in view. For example, only have one mixing spoon, spatula, and tongs in a utensil canister on the counter or in view. Have your most used pan, clean, on the stove top. Remove or store less used items. Some may find it helpful to remove cabinet doors as to easily see where items are located.
4. Prepare food in a well-lit space. Add under cabinet lighting or a plug in lamp to brighten your space.
5. Use the different cutting boards and knives for raw meat and for ready to eat foods.
6. Wash and sanitize any areas that come in contact with raw meat, poultry, or fish.
7. Use adapted knives, chopping tools, or plastic serrated knives until you're confident in your chopping.
8. Prepare food in a space works best for you whether that’s a countertop, the kitchen table, or a desk.
9. Focus on one thing at a time. If you are easily distracted or lose focus by sound don’t listen to music/podcast while cooking and consider wearing noise canceling headphones.
10. Don’t leave the kitchen with any appliances on. Set reminders, timers, or sticky notes to remember to turn them off once a meal completed.