Are TV chefs to blame for kitchen hazards?
One in five people in the UK have had a cooking accident while trying to copy TV chefs from shows such as Saturday Kitchen, according to research commissioned by Dorot Garlic & Herbs.
Celebrity cooking shows are making complex kitchen techniques look effortless, but off screen, chopping, baking, boiling and basting aren't always as easy as the experts make out.
According to The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), the kitchen is the second most hazardous place in the house, with 262,6051 mishaps taking place in the kitchen each year.
Hygiene also seems to be a low priority with a disappointing 42% of respondents not wiping down or preparing their kitchen before cooking.
To ensure cooking is a safer option, Dorot has created a 'guide to cooking safely' list:
• Preparation is key – read recipes in full before attempting them
• Have a clear work surface before preparing ingredients or cooking
• Avoid distractions such as talking on the phone, and keep demanding children entertained
• Ensure kitchen floors are cleared of all clutter so there are no hazards to trip over
• Clean up any spillages immediately
• Keep flammable kitchen cloths and oven gloves away from hobs and live pans
• Turn saucepan handles away from the edge of the work surface so you don't knock them
• Keep a first aid kit at hand with a supply of plasters
Words: Maria Bracken
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