Kitchen Safety for Seniors
The kitchen is an incredibly dangerous place for everyone, as there are many unsafe obstacles that can hurt your loved one. Appliances, tools …
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The kitchen is an incredibly dangerous place for everyone, as there are many unsafe obstacles that can hurt your loved one. Appliances, tools and foods all pose threats to your elderly loved one if he or she is not careful and meticulous in their kitchen safety. Here are some tips to make sure the kitchen is safe for your elderly loved one.
- Encourage your loved one to never leave food unattended while they are cooking. Food that is being cooked should be watched at all times.
- Do not touch a pot or pan that is hot without an oven mitt.
- Use electric teakettle’s rather than traditional ones.
- Try to purchase automatics shut-off devices when possible to prevent a fire.
- Clean up the areas that are traditionally cluttered, such as the cupboards or high up drawers, to prevent them from reaching and falling.
- Make sure that the heavier items in the kitchen are available to your loved one around hip level, to prevent them from straining themselves.
- Test all smoke detectors every month.
- Make sure that meats, vegetables, eggs and fruits are all stored properly in the fridge and that cross contamination is not happening. If cross contamination does happen, it is best to throw away the food that was effected and the surrounding food as well.
- Make sure that all sharp knives are sharp enough to cut their food, but not too sharp.
- Do not take risks with leftovers! If you are unsure of something, it is better to be safe than sorry. It is possible to get food borne illnesses from leftovers!
We know that the kitchen can be a scary place, especially for the family members of an elderly individual. If your loved one is capable of working their way around a kitchen, make sure you share these tips with them to remain safe. Remember, once your loved one is at a point where he or she can no longer move around safely, a caregiver can help your loved one around the house and prepare their meals for them. Our goal is to keep your loved one safe and to give you the peace of mind that you deserve.