Dos and don’ts when it comes to kitchen safety
- Do clean up spills quickly
- Do clean fruits with a scrub brush
- Do replace your sponges regularly
- Do keep in mind acidity when it comes to canned foods
- Do keep marinated food in the refrigerator
- Do put away your groceries quickly
- Do store leftovers in shallow containers
- Do use a food thermometer
- Don't wash raw meat
- Don't simply trust expiration dates
- Don't crack your eggs in the bowl
- Don't use sponges on countertops
- Don't keep household cleaners in the pantry

You might be great at cooking, but how aware are you of kitchen safety? This concept might seem exaggerated at first, but it's super important for your health. There's more than just washing your hands, so make sure you're aware of these kitchen safety tips to avoid any unnecessary illness.
Check out this gallery to see if you're already watching out for these. If not, it's never too late to start!
Do clean up spills quickly

If something spills, wipe it up quickly. These little chores can reduce the growth of listeria. It also helps prevent the spread of bacteria and cross-contamination.
Do clean fruits with a scrub brush

Simply washing fruits and veggies might not be enough to get all the dirt and bacteria off. Use a sterilized scrub brush, so you can get into those ridges and clean your produce properly.
Do replace your sponges regularly

Sponges are notorious for breeding bacteria. Even if you are washing and sanitizing your sponge, make sure to replace it regularly.
Do keep in mind acidity when it comes to canned foods

High-acid canned foods like tomatoes, grapefruit, and pineapple have a shorter shelf life than low-acid foods. They can be stored unopened for 12 to 18 months.
Do keep marinated food in the refrigerator

If you leave food marinating on the counter, bacteria can quickly multiply at room temperature. Also, never use marinating liquid as a sauce unless it has been rapid boiled.
Do put away your groceries quickly

As soon as the items are in your basket, the clock starts to tick. Kitchen safety goes way beyond your kitchen, so you need to get your food in the fridge within one hour from doing your grocery run.
Do store leftovers in shallow containers

To keep bacteria away, store the food in airtight and shallow containers. This can allow for rapid cooling. In a large container, the food can take longer to cool, allowing for bacterial growth.
Do use a food thermometer

When you're cooking meat, use a thermometer. This means doing your research and finding out what temperatures meat and poultry should reach before you serve them.
Don't wash raw meat

Many mistakenly think that washing raw meat will get the germs off it before cooking. But in reality, the bacteria in raw meat juices can be splashed on surfaces in your kitchen, and cross-contaminate other foods as well as surfaces. Rinsing meat is a huge kitchen safety no-no.
Don't simply trust expiration dates

The expiration date means the manufacturer recommends you use the product by a certain date for the best flavor or quality, but it's not actually about safety.
Don't crack your eggs in the bowl

By doing this, it's possible a shell can slip into the bowl and contaminate your mix. Also, you don't want any egg drippings to hit the counter. It's better to tap the egg on your counter and open it in a small, separate bowl.
Don't rely on taste and smell to determine if food has gone bad

Harmful types of bacteria are present in meat, poultry, and seafood, and they can also be in milk, eggs, fruits, and vegetables. Keeping these items properly chilled slows the growth of bacteria.
Don't use sponges on countertops

Sponges are loaded with bacteria that you don't want all over your countertops. Instead, use a paper towel or disinfectant wipe to clean your countertops.
Don't keep household cleaners in the pantry

You want to avoid poisons or chemicals next to your food. It's pure poison that you want to avoid.