Avoiding Eye Injuries When Cooking | Home Eye Safety Month

Enjoying a home-cooked meal is a great way to spend time together with people you love, but while using all those kitchen gadgets and tools, it is important to keep safety in mind, especially with children around.

October is Home Eye Safety Month. It is a reminder to keep a few safety precautions in mind when working in the kitchen to prevent an eye injury. 
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Types of eye injuries that may occur in the kitchen

Although you probably do not think of your kitchen as a danger zone, eye injuries commonly occur at home. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, about 50 percent of eye injuries occur in the home. One frequent area an injury may occur is the kitchen.

Several types of eye injuries can occur in the kitchen, such as:

Splash injuries: As you cook, it is possible for various types of liquids to splash into your eyes. Depending on the liquid, some splashes are harmless, but in other cases, if the liquid is acidic or hot, it can cause damage to the eyes. For instance, simmering sauces or liquids can splash out of the pot and lead to a burn.

Injuries from sharp objects: Injuries from knives and other sharp kitchen tools can cause a variety of eye problems, from minor to vision-threatening.

Burn injuries: Burn injuries can occur from splashes and steam. Steam burns can lead to irritation and inflammation. Burns can also occur if you get something hot or spicy on your fingers while prepping food and then rub your eyes. For instance, the juice from jalapeno peppers that gets into your eyes can be painful and lead to a burn.

Bacteria from food: It might seem unlikely to develop an eye infection due to food, but it can happen. Some people use food as a topical remedy for everything from eye bags to a black eye. But putting cucumber slices or a cold steak on your eye can transfer bacteria from the food to your eye. 
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Tips for preventing eye injuries in the kitchen

Whether you are chopping your favorite foods or making a pot of soup, there are several things you can do to reduce your risk of an eye injury. Consider the following:

Wash your hands. We all know that we should wash our hands before preparing food, but it is also important to wash your hands after you handle food to get any residual oil off, so you do not transfer it to your eyes. 

Avoid standing near pots releasing steam. When you need to release steam from a pot, be sure to stand back to avoid a steam burn.

Do not stand over a frying pan. Hot oil from a pan can splash into the eyes. Avoid standing with your face near the pan.

Take safety precautions when using sharp kitchen tools. Buy tools with safety covers and keep them away from children.

Do not rub your eyes when cooking. Rubbing your eyes after touching food can lead to irritated eyes.  

Stay aware. We can easily get distracted in the kitchen and not pay close attention to a bubbling pot or the spices on our fingers. Injuries can happen in a second. Stay aware of the tasks you are performing to avoid common eye injuries.

Keep your kitchen free of tripping hazards. Remove things, such as loose carpets or clutter to avoid falls.

Seek treatment. If you do suffer an eye injury, such as a burn, do flush your eyes with plenty of water, but it is also essential to seek treatment. Although an injury may seem minor, it is best to have it checked out.

By taking some of the steps above, you can prevent eye injuries at home, including in the kitchen. If you would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600.