Cooking Games and Knife Safety

If you’re going to play cooking games in your kitchen, one of the most important things you can do is learn how to handle a knife correctly. When possible, you should always handle a knife in the company of someone else who can help you remember to use the knife safely. Having someone else there is also great insurance against a mistake simply because that friend or family member might be the one to drive you to the emergency room if you do goof somehow.

When you’re using a knife you should follow a few simple rules:
Always use a sharp knife. A sharp knife will cut more cleanly and more quickly. A dull knife, however, will be harder to use and it is more likely to slip when you’re trying to cut and cut you instead.

Always cut away from yourself. Don’t leave your fingers in the way of the knife and push the knife away from you rather than pulling it toward you where it can slip and jump into your hand, arm or chest.

Point knives down in the dishwasher. If you’re washing knives by hand, don’t drop them into soapy water where you can’t feel what you’re grabbing. If you’re loading the knives into the dishwasher, put them into the racks with the blades facing downward for safe handling for the next cooking games.