If you’re anything like us, you love to cook! But, before you start, there’s one really important thing you need to do. And that’s making sure your kitchen is safe for cooking. 

To avoid injury and other dangerous accidents that could occur as a result of skipping this step, we’ve created a kitchen safety checklist for new cooks.

Using this list will help you make sure your kitchen is #BossKidsCook approved, so you can explore new ingredients and create delicious, safe, and healthy recipes!

• Ensure all appliance cords are hidden or off the floor. 

• Move towels, paper towels, oven mitts, and other flammable items stored away from the stovetop to avoid catching fire.

• Place hand soap near the sink to help keep your hands clean before, during, and after cooking.

• Get oven mitts ready to protect your hands when removing hot items from the oven.

• Move sharp knives, towards the back of the counter to ensure smaller children cannot reach them.

• If you’re working with meat, get two cutting boards. One for raw meats and seafood and the other for fruits and vegetables.

• Be sure to check the expiration date of each food before cooking with them or eating them.

• Check to ensure that you have a smoke detector in or near the kitchen.

• If you’re using a step stool, make sure it’s stable and in good repair.

• Get a small fire extinguisher in the kitchen.

• Check your first aid kit. Make sure it has proper supplies and is easy to access.

• Use separate cloths and sponges for counter spills and floor spills (and wash them at least once per week).

• Use a separate utensil to taste food while cooking.

• Clean the countertops and floors from clutter, toys, and paper.

• If using the microwave, open containers slowly when removing them.

• If you’re a new chef, wear shoes or slippers when cooking to protect your feet.

• When cooking on the stove point the pot handles toward the back of the stove to prevent spills.