• Pets and kids: Pay close attention to little visitors, especially when handling anything sharp or hot. You also don't want to trip over pets hovering underfoot.
• Clothing: There’s a reason restaurant cooks and chefs have a uniform: Long pants and long...

Learning the best way to handle knives is the easiest way to avoid cutting yourself.

• Learn basic knife skills.
• Never cut toward yourself.
• Ensure you are using the appropriate knife for each job.
• Wash knives with blades facing away from you.
• Knives should...

Mandolines are slicing tools designed for speed and accuracy. They’re also exceptionally adept at cutting off fingertips.

Use the handguard or wear a metal mesh glove when using a mandoline. Get comfortable leaving that last nub of carrot, fennel, or union unsliced—you can always save it fo...

While cooking

Don’t drop your food into the oil from as far away as possible. Instead, lower food into hot oil as close to the oil's surface as possible and away from you. Keep in mind that the oil level will rise when you add ingredients. Oil can quickly catch on fire if ...

The stovetop

• Never leave a burner on high heat unattended.
• Never walk away from oil or sugar as it's heating.
• If you’re making something that needs to cook for a long time at a low temperature, set a timer so you remember to check it often.
• Don’...