Crazy Kitchen Accidents

The kitchen can be a very dangerous place. Sharp knives, hot stoves, boiling water and oil all contribute to a heightened risk of personal injury. Though there are many kitchen accidents involving celebrities, some mishaps that are downright nuts have occurred in the lives of everyday people.

Knives pointing down please!
In Lanarkshire, a 31-year-old woman’s life was cut short by a freak accident. The woman slipped on her kitchen floor and landed in her dishwasher. The element that made this “trip” fatal was a knife that was standing blade-up in the dishwasher.

Meanwhile in Sweden…
A chef was awarded damages by the court for an instance involving a saucepan. The chef, who was trying to place the pan in a refrigerator slipped. When the chef slipped, his arm was caught on the handle and this caused the muscle to tear apart. No amount of surgery has been able to restore his mobility.

Manila, Philippines
In Manila, a little boy died in a tragic kitchen accident. His mother was cooking using a wok filled with oil. When the oil spilled, it caught on fire and covered the boy who was 2 years old at the time.

Broken Glass
An almost 3-year-old girl died in a freak accident while clearing up the supper dishes. The small girl was carrying a casserole dish when it slipped from her hands and shattered. One fragment of the glass flew up and hit the child in the neck. This shard of glass sliced through her jugular and the child bled to death before help could arrive.

Many other stories regarding kitchen accidents can be found that were not lethal. One restaurant employee recalls observing another employee submerging their hand in a hot deep fryer to retrieve a dropped set of tongs. The witnessing employee stated that after the incident the skin looked as if it were melting.

The kitchen does not have to be as dangerous as this. By sticking to the following rules, the kitchen can easily be a safe place to cook.

• When loading a dishwasher make sure that knife blades and fork tines point downwards if possible.
• Do not run with knives or forks.
• Clean up any spills as soon as they happen.
• Do not allow children to play in the kitchen.
• Keep fingers folded under your hand when cutting food.
• Always use potholders and proper safety equipment.
• Do not leave hot items sitting where they will be bumped or fall.
• Turn all pot handles in so they cannot be grabbed or knocked.
• Do not become distracted or preoccupied when cooking or cutting.

It is important for your own personal safety and the safety of your family that kitchen rules be followed. Freak accidents are just that, and they are rare. They do happen though, so do not let one of your family members be the next tragic addition to this list.