3-Tips To Keep Your Kitchen Bacteria Claim Free While Cooking.

by Anna Glendenning | More from this Blogger

19 Nov 2006 02:23 PM

The last thing we want if we are, the host of a dinner or party is to make our family and guest sick. If we are going to go to all the trouble to be a host then we want everyone to remember the experience for the right reasons, and not because someone is hurt or sick due to a liability we have in our kitchen. We might have a Homeowner or renters insurance policy that would cover Guest Medical and Liability Claims but the most important part of risk management is to avoid the claim in the first place.

When it comes to our kitchen and the things that come out of it managing our risks starts with keeping everything clean, bacteria and germ free. The last thing we want is for our kitchen to cause someone to become sick. Making a kitchen safe for food handling and serving starts with these three basic important tips:

#1- Disinfecting Solution: When my kitchen is "Open For Business" I make use of the experience I have as a waitress, and Girl Scout by making a Bleach Solution to disinfect hard, non-porous surfaces and wipe down tools and utensils.

Use the following method to create and safely use a bleach solution:

• Read the dilution recommendations on the label of the Bleach you have and make a gallon of bleach and water disinfection solution.
• While working take time to wash, wipe or rinse the surfaces or items you are using with warm soapy water.
• Then wipe the area or item with a separate cleaning washcloth used only for the bleach solution.
• Allow the surface or item to sit for 5 minutes,
• Then rinse the surface or object completely
• When the area or item is rinsed allow it to air dry.

Never use Bleach full strength to clean surfaces. It's a good idea to wear gloves if you are cleaning for a long period. Be sure to make a new solution daily because bleach breaks down very quickly.

#2- Counter-tops and Tables. Most families use the kitchen counter-tops and dining table as work stations for everyday household tasks such as folding laundry, homework and stacking the days mail. During the holidays, family members might use the table and counters to wrap gifts and make holiday cards and crafts.

Be sure your holiday counter-tops and tables are "dinner ready."

• Clean with the bleach solution between projects.
• Keep decorations and nick-knacks off the table when things are in full gear.
• When handling food or preparing to cook be sure to keep your counters and food preparation areas spotless and clean everything often.
• Learn and practice safe food handling for all of the things you use in your kitchen.

#3- Washcloths, paper towels and sponges.

• Replace Sponges with new ones routinely, sponges are one of the most contaminated items we have in our homes. I replace mine rather then wash them.
• Use paper towels and other disposable equipment for easier clean up on big projects. Dispose of these things in sealed garbage bags to avoid bacteria contamination.
• Use a new clean washcloth frequently and replace often. Use a clean washcloth for each project you do in the kitchen.
• Run your washcloths and dish towels through the laundry daily.

These simple steps reduce the risk of bacteria and germs in your home. When the kitchen is busy, these steps become most important and need to be part of the routine we have. While it might not seem like an insurance risk, we need to remember that our kitchen is a possible liability exposure. Most injury and illness caused by our kitchen is not seriously harmful, but it only takes one horrible story for us to need liability protection. To avoid a liability claim always practice safe risk management as the first line of defense.

Related Blogs:

Be sure to check back here soon as this series of Safe Holiday planning and entertaining unfolds in future blogs!

Photo credit for this blog entry: Anna Glendenning's kitchen.

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Learn more about Anna Glendenning

Anna Glendenning is a mother of four. Two biological children grown and out of college, and two siblings and adopted together in 2003. Anna's Personal Website http://www.adoptiveparentsnetwork.

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Michele Cheplic (37349) 20 Nov 2006 05:54 PM

Wow Anna, that's a heck of a kitchen! It doesn't look like it ever gets dirty!

Melissa J (13710) 20 Nov 2006 08:47 PM

Great advice Anna!

Sparly (5) 01 Dec 2008 04:14 PM

Today there is more and more concern with our food safety and preparation. I heard that copper has anti-microbial benefits and will kill ecoli and other bacteria on contact. Copper countertops also look great. Here is a great link http://www.mountainsedgecopperart.com/copper_counters/copper_counters.html