Children and Adults Should Exercise Caution While Cooking
ROME, Ga., Nov. 26, 2024 – Home kitchens become bustling hubs of activity during this time of year as families prepare for Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts. To prevent festivities from turning tragic, following some essential safety tips can help you avoid injuries.
Since most kitchens are filled with items that can cause burns or cuts if not handled carefully, the presence of children necessitates additional precautions.
“Young kids should not be left alone in the kitchen without adult supervision," said Melissa Parris, a registered nurse and coordinator of the Trauma Program at Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center. “That can be difficult when there are many family members present, but someone should be designated to watch the little ones."
Avoid Burns
Ovens and stoves pose significant burn risks. Keep children away from hot surfaces, as they may attempt to grab objects within reach. Ensure that handles of pots and pans on the stove are turned inward toward the back of the stove.
This precaution prevents scalding accidents involving hot oil, boiling water, or food. Although it may complicate cooking, it can avert emergency medical visits.
“We see lots of burn cases where children pulled something hot off the stove," Parris said. “That simple act of rotating pots so the handles can't be reached is an easy safety move."
Exercise caution when moving food from the stove to the table, counter or another room. Collisions with others could result in severe injuries or ruined meals. Never hold a child while cooking, as they could easily get burned or cut.
Keep oven mitts or pads near the stove and within sight to prevent burns from inadvertently handling hot cookware. Be cautious with glass top stoves, which might remain hot even if the warning light is off.
Promptly clean any spills on the floor to prevent slips, which could lead to serious injuries and spilled hot food or liquids.
Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing near the stove, as it poses a fire hazard. Long hair should be secured, following the standards of most restaurant kitchens.
Ensure a fire extinguisher is readily accessible in the kitchen and familiarize yourself with its use. Kitchen fires can escalate quickly, particularly in the presence of hot oil.
Preventing Cuts
Knives should be used with care to avoid serious injuries. Store knives safely and out of children's reach when not in use.
And remember, a dull knife is more dangerous than a sharp one, as it requires more force to cut and increases the risk of accidents.
Avoid placing sharp knives in the sink while washing dishes by hand to prevent accidental cuts. Clean knives first and store them securely.
By adhering to these guidelines, you can ensure a safer cooking environment during the holiday season.
About Atrium Health Floyd
The Atrium Health Floyd family of health care services is a leading medical provider and economic force in northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama. Atrium Health Floyd is part of Charlotte, North Carolina-based Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit health system in the United States, created from the combination of Atrium Health and Advocate Aurora Health. Atrium Health Floyd strategically combined with Harbin Clinic in 2024 and employs more than 5,200 teammates who provide care in over 40 medical specialties at four facilities: Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center – a 361-bed full-service, acute care hospital and regional referral center in Rome, Georgia; Atrium Health Floyd Polk Medical Center in Cedartown, Georgia; and Atrium Health Floyd Cherokee Medical Center in Centre, Alabama; and Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center Behavioral Health, also in Rome. Together, Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic provide primary care, specialty care and urgent care throughout northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama. Atrium Health Floyd also operates a stand-alone emergency department in Chattooga County, the first such facility to be built from the ground-up in Georgia.
About Atrium Health
Atrium Health is a nationally recognized leader in shaping health outcomes through innovative research, education and compassionate patient care. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Atrium Health is part of Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit health system in the United States, which was created from the combination with Advocate Aurora Health. A recognized leader in experiential medical education and groundbreaking research, Wake Forest University School of Medicine is its academic core. Atrium Health is renowned for its top-ranked pediatric, cancer and heart care, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Atrium Health is also a leading-edge innovator in virtual care and mobile medicine, providing care close to home and in the home. Ranked nationally among U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals in eight pediatric specialties and for rehabilitation, Atrium Health has also received the American Hospital Association's Quest for Quality Prize and its 2021 Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Award, as well as the 2020 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Health Equity Award for its efforts to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in care. With a commitment to every community it serves, Atrium Health seeks to improve health, elevate hope and advance healing – for all, providing $2.8 billion last year in free and uncompensated care and other community benefits.
About Advocate Health
Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit integrated health system in the United States – created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois, Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama, and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation's largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides nearly $6 billion in annual community benefits.