Top 5 Knife Safety Tips
Having a sharp knife is just the start when it comes to knife safety. These are just somethings that I experienced in my life so if I can keep one person safe through my experiences…it was worth the pain! Don’t let what I’m telling scare you. Knowledge is power and wisdom comes from experience. Let’s use my slip-ups to help you work smart and stay safe!
Here are some knife safety tips to help you stay safe and in the kitchen:
Never. Never. Never, try to catch a falling knife. once you know it’s going to fall, let it go. Move your body, your feet (Yes, your feet too. Sharp knives can easily cut through the soft fabrics the shoes we tend to wear in our homes are made of.), as well as your hands away from the knife. I’m so programmed after all these years that it’s automatic for me. I immediately move my entire body and my feet step away from the direction the knife is falling. I had a classmate in chef’s school that tried to catch a falling knife…I’ll never forget it. He knew better not to but for some reason that day…he reacted and cut his hand quite badly. Let falling knives fall to the ground before picking them up.
Don’t put knives in a full skin of soapy water…you won’t be able to see them! Reaching into the water and not knowing where the sharp edge is…is dangerous business!! Knives are easy to clean. If you have a sink full of soapy water, hold onto the knife, dip it into the water, wipe it down & rinse or just rinse it under running water, wipe with a soapy sponge or cloth and rinse. These are the safest ways to wash a knife.
Knives need to be stored properly for both your safety and to prevent damaging the blade. Use a knife block, drawer storage unit, wall magnet, or knife guards to keep your knives protected from hitting other tools which can cause the knife edge to be dulled by causing tiny little dents in the blade’s edge. If you just put your knives in the drawer as is, when you go to get something, even another tool, you could cut yourself. Store your knives properly for your sake as well as the knife’s sake.
Know where your fingers are at all times!! When chopping or cutting, make sure you are very aware of where your fingers are and don’t try to chop in a hurry…take your time. One Christmas I was trying to make up some time and I was just chopping too fast and the ring finger of my left hand was too slow…it was a deep cut and slowed everything right down. I taped myself up and had to wear a glove while I was cooking. It was a good reminder for me, so take your time and be safe.
Use the right knife for the right job. Remember my mother and the 8” slicing? Don’t try it. Use a paring knife for peeling and chopping knife for chopping. You would be surprised but it is possible to cut yourself chopping with a paring knife. They might be small but they can still cut just as badly as a larger knife, especially if you trying to chop something large or harder in texture. Choosing the right knife actually makes the work easier.
