The best first-aid tips to deal with kitchen accidents 26^th October 2022

No area in the house is immune to mishaps, and Kitchen accidents are undoubtedly the most common. There are several potential sources of injury in the kitchen, including sharp knives, hot appliances, and open flames. While it's impossible to eliminate risk, taking precautions can help mitigate it. Accidents can happen to anyone, whether they are awake or not.

When working in the kitchen, you need to be prepared for any emergency that may arise. If you plan beforehand for the worst, you can limit the damage. A personal accident insurance policy covers the costs if you get wounded in an accident and need medical care.

Moreover, you can avoid more serious injury by following these simple rules for kitchen safety and first aid.

First aid for knife cuts:

Accidents due to kitchen knives are common, but they require immediate first aid. If you cut or slice your finger, you should treat the wound using these tips:

● Clean the cut or slice area with soap and water. Apply pressure to it with a bandage or a clean cloth for a few minutes until the bleeding stops. If you bleed through the cloth, you can use another piece of cloth or use a cotton piece.

● Get the antibacterial ointment from your first aid kit and put it over the cut. Cover the wounded area with a gauze pad and adhesive tape.

● Get immediate medical help if the bleeding doesn't stop after a few minutes, the cut becomes inflamed or has jagged edges.

First aid for eye injuries:

Sometimes people accidentally shoot lemon juice or other substances straight into their eyes. If something gets in your eyes while cooking, you should follow these steps:

● Wash your eyes with lukewarm water for about 15 minutes. Protect your second eye by covering it.

● If you have a cut on your eye, don't apply pressure to it or wash it. Instead, call for medical help.

First aid for falls:

Water and oil can spill from the pot and make the floor slippery. Many people fall in the kitchen due to the slippery floor, so you should keep your kitchen floor clean and dry. However, if you still happen to fall in the kitchen, follow these tips:

● Try to get up in the right manner, or you could make your injury worse. Slowly rise to your hands and knees.

● Try to crawl to a nearby chair or preferably a wall and stand up.

● If you think you may have a broken bone or can't get up, don't move and call for help.

First aid for burns:

An accident due to boiling water or oil splashing while cooking is a severe accident. You should ensure that your children are away from the oven or stove when cooking. Turn the pot handles toward the back of the stove to prevent burns. However, if you have a burn, you must identify the type and follow the safety tips.

Different types of burns:

● First-degree burn:
If the top layer of your skin is injured, you can treat it by placing the burned area under cool, running water for five minutes.

● Second-degree burn:
If the deeper skin is injured, soak the injured area in cool water for 30 minutes and apply an antibiotic cream to it.

● Third-degree burn:
If all layers of skin are burned, apply a wet dressing and call for emergency medical help.

These first-aid tips will help you deal with kitchen accidents and prevent the condition from worsening. However, you should pay extra attention if you have children. Keep your children away from the oven, stove, microwave, knives, and anything that seems dangerous. Always wear an apron and gloves while handling sharp objects and hot utensils and working with boiling water or oil.

You can install smoke detectors in your kitchen to protect you from fire accidents. Also, purchase a personal accident insurance policy to recover from the major injuries faced in a kitchen accident to pay your medical expenses.

Click HERE to buy a personal accident insurance policy.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.