Cooking can be dangerous. Those who are working in the kitchen are often using sharp knives, strong machinery, or stovetop fires in order to make their delicious culinary creations. All it takes is a slip here or a misplaced hand there to be off to the hospital with a serious injury. According to CBS News, cooking provides plenty of opportunities for painful burns. Sometimes, these burns will come from a hot pot or a cookie sheet that has just been removed from the oven. Other times, someone may spill a pot of boiling water or cooking oil. When these scalding liquids contact the skin, they can inflict third degree burns in an instant.

There is also potential for burns from the fires that are used on stovetops or in flambé type dishes. With so many burning substances all around, cooks can be hurt in a matter of moments. If your flesh is seared or exposed to hot liquids that cause blistering, then you have acquired second-degree burns. Third degree burns are often less painful at the beginning but are much more serious. This is because these involve nerve damage. In extreme burns, the skin may look charred and black. Not every burn requires medical attention. Measure the percentage of skin affected by your burn to determine whether or not you need to head to the doctor, as well as the degree of the burn. If your burn is wider and longer than a hand, then you should probably head to the ER for treatment.

If the burn covers 10 to 15 percent of your body, then it is essential that you call an ambulance. Also, make sure to seek medical help of the burn is excruciating and debilitating. Don’t put ice on your burn, as this can cause frostbite on the sensitive skin. Instead, you should run the burn under cool water and then wrap it in gauze. To prevent horrible burns from occurring, you should try not to multi-task in the kitchen and keep your stress-level low. People have a higher potential to harm themselves when they are rushing.

Knives and other choppers can create the horrific potential for lacerations or lost fingers. When a cook is in a hurry, rapid chopping can cut a finger, or a dropped knife may hit a toe or leg by accident. Keep knife guards on your sharp cutting tools when they are not being used, or place the knives in a block where the tips are surrounded by wood. Keep fingers clear of the chopping area when you are slicing veggies or fruits on a cutting board. Also, never try to go too fast, or you could end up in a dangerous situation.

Also, dropping dishes can leave glass shards on the floor. These should be cleaned up as soon as possible to avoid stepping on the sharp fragments with bare feet. Spills in the kitchen can also bring on the possibility of a slip and fall accident. This is especially true when it comes to slick oils and sauces which could tip over onto the floor when a cook is moving too fast. Wear shoes with good traction when working in a kitchen, and try to clean up spills as soon as they occur. If you work in a kitchen for a living, any of the injuries you suffer while at your job should be paid for by the restaurant or company that you work for. If you were not granted the workers’ compensation that you believe you are entitled, get a personal injury lawyer involved today.