Safety in the kitchen

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The modern kitchen is very well equipped, with specialized appliances to make our busy modern lives much easier and simpler.

Even with all these advancements, there are hazards in the kitchen that we should all look out for:

When frying something, the oil often spits dangerously and unavoidably out of the pan if very hot. This hot oil can not only burn you but if it lands on the floor it becomes very slippery and, if you ask any professional chef, extremely hazardous.
If you are cooking flammable oils or fats on your stove it is very easy for the flame to transfer to the pan. There are a few important things you need to remember if you are dealing with a fat fire. Never put water on it and never use a fire extinguisher. The current recommendation from the UK fire service is simply to: 'Get out, stay out, and call the emergency services'
Modern gas stoves are fairly safe but still dangerous if not used correctly, the gas should always be switched off properly otherwise you may fill your home with highly explosive gas.
Your detergents and chemicals should be kept in a clean dry environment and should never be mixed, combinations of even the most benign household chemicals have the potential to be very dangerous, even lethal. These chemicals should be clearly labelled in order to avoid confusion and accidental consumption.
Installation of an extractor fan is a good idea; it will reduce the build up of toxic fumes in your kitchen environment.