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Kitchen Eye Safety Tips
Posted by: Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute in Eye Health
We are fast approaching the most prominent holiday season to celebrate, spend time with family, and spend most of our time in the kitchen preparing our favorite holiday dishes. As we prepare our delicious meals, we want to remind you to practice kitchen eye safety to protect you and your loved ones from preventable eye injuries.
Don’t Slip! Keep Floors Clean and Cabinet Doors Closed
Loose rugs, open cabinets, and liquid spills on the floor could be more of a hazard to your eyes than you realize. Falls are a top cause of eye injury in the United States. People 60 years and older are especially prone to eye injuries from falls. Before cooking, ensure your kitchen is as safe for grandma as it is for the grandkids.
Handle Sharp Objects With Care
We can sometimes find ourselves rushing to get things done during the holidays, letting safety precautions we would typically follow we forget to put into use. This includes being careful with sharp tools in the kitchen. Sharp objects are the third most common cause of eye injury, including knives, forks, scissors, and skewers. Always handle these sharp objects carefully and put them away safely when you are done using them.
Look Out for Bubbling Sauces and Splashing Liquids
Any liquid that splashes in your eye can be uncomfortable. However, food liquids may be hazardous. Sauces from food are often acidic and can cause your eyes to tear up and sting. Some foods, like raw chicken liquid, contain bacteria that could cause an eye infection. Simmering sauces can splash out of the pot and burn or blister your eye. If this happens, flush your eye with plenty of water and seek medical treatment immediately.
Spicey Residue Can Stick to Your Fingers and End Up in Your Eye
When you chop peppers such as jalapeño and use other spicy ingredients, your fingers retain oily residues that can end up in your eyes. Wash your hands thoroughly after preparing food, and wear gloves while chopping vegetables and working with spices. If pepper or spice oils end up in your eye, flush with plenty of water and wash your eyelids and the area around your eye with baby shampoo. Never put any soap directly in your eye.
Avoid the Risk of Eye Injuries From Steam
Steam can cause severe eye injuries such as blurry vision, redness, irritation, and inflammation. There is a higher risk of getting your eyes injured from steam while preparing dishes such as rice or vegetables. To ensure eye safety, keep a distance while letting out the steam of the cooking pot. Having a pair of safety glasses while cooking these dishes will be a great kitchen safety tool to have on hand.
Don’t Forget to Wash Your Hands Frequently
When you are busy cooking, it is easy to accidentally transfer ingredients from your hands to your eyes. Fortunately, this could be easily prevented by remembering to wash your hands with hot, soapy water after preparing food. Washing your hands after handling raw poultry and spicy ingredients is essential since these can cause infection, burning, and irritation.
If you or a loved one sustains an eye injury, seek medical attention immediately. Don’t hesitate to contact your eye doctor or go to an emergency room immediately. We are committed to providing the highest quality eye care, and our experienced team is available to diagnose and treat all eye conditions.
We wish you and your family a happy, safe, and healthy holiday season!
