Kitchen safety is hugely important for everyone, and although cooking can be fun, we should all be making sure that we fully understand how to be safe in the kitchen to avoid injuries.
Unfortunately, this can be more difficult for people who have a disability as traditional kitchen accessories, cooking methods, and food preparation techniques were not designed with limited mobility in mind. That’s where this article comes in, as we have put together some of the top kitchen tips for disabled people so you can carry on cooking in your kitchen safely.
General Safety in the Kitchen
The first rule of kitchen safety is to assess any and all fire hazards, as this is one of the top incidents that can happen in a kitchen. Never leave food that you are cooking on the stove or under the grill unattended, and remove anything that could possibly catch on the flames.
A timer can also help ensure you don’t forget about food. It is a good idea to have a fire extinguisher or a fire blanket stored in your kitchen somewhere in case the worst happens.
Boiling water is another common source of industry, so instead of trying to awkwardly drain water from a heavy pan, cook vegetables and other foods in a wire basket that can be set inside the pan until everything is cooked through. You can then pour the water away safely!
In general, try to ensure there are no trip hazards and keep your floor slip-free by making sure it is clean and clear of cables or anything else that could cause you to fall. Keep heavier items stored on lower shelves or cupboards in order to reduce the risk of them falling on you.
Food Preparation
Our best tip for preparing food for cooking is to do this step whilst sitting down! Seriously! Having a stool or something to sit on will allow you to be comfortable and will be less tiring.
Utensils can be a bit trickier to get to grips with if your mobility is slightly limited which can make it harder or even dangerous to prepare food with them. Opt for things with easy grip handles or a chopping board that has a runner around the border so you don’t lose food.
Non-slip matts are another useful tool for food preparation as these can help to keep bowls in place while you mix up the ingredients or can make the surface of a tray more secure.
Finally – and this goes for all aspiring cooks – it is a good idea to prep the ingredients that you will be using beforehand as this will speed up the cooking process and means you can focus on one thing at a time. Instead of swapping between chopping and cooking, preparing your ingredients in advance will mean you can just add the ingredients in as you go. Easy!
Use Kitchen Aids
Similarly, there are a number of different kitchen aids that will also be able to help you in the kitchen. This can include tools to make handling taps easier to manage, such as hands-free, infra-red control systems or a lever style opening depending on what your budget is.
Additionally, lightweight frying pans are a great hack that can save your wrists the trouble that comes with tossing and flipping your food, for example. They also reduce the risk of spills or stumbling with the pan which can lead to serious injury if the pan is already hot.
You could also think about replacing certain appliances that are hard to use, such as your kettle. Instead of lifting it when it is heavy and full of boiling water, you can find kettles that dispense water straight into your cup by pressing a button which can be a safer alternative.
If you are unsteady on your feet, you might find that carrying your finished meal into another room to eat it is the biggest problem you face, in which case you might benefit from a tray that has a one-handed carry handle for you to transport your dinner without the risk of trips.
Final Thoughts
We hope that this article has helped you to think about how you can be safer when cooking in the kitchen and how important it is to remove as many of the common risks as possible.
Whether you adjust your existing kitchen accessories or opt for kitchen aids, these days, there is plenty of choice available.
