Cooking Safety Tips as Your Dad Ages
Companion Care at Home Glenolden
Each year, half of the nation’s house fires are the direct result of cooking foods. Of those fires, injuries are reported in 44%, and 61% start at the oven or stove. What happens? It’s often an unattended appliance, and many occur when the person cooking a meal falls asleep, and people over 55 are more likely to have caused the fire.
As your dad gets older, kitchen safety must be a priority. Make sure he’s following these safety tips.
Install Smoke Detectors Near the Kitchen
Make sure there are smoke and heat detectors near the kitchen. It can be an annoyance if you burn toast in the toaster, as can happen. But, it’s better to have the alarm go off and push the “Hush” button than not be alerted at all.
Invest in Smart Appliances
There are ovens that shut off automatically if no movement has occurred in a certain amount of time. Surely, these can be helpful in fire prevention. You might want to install shut-offs that limit access to the appliance. If your dad can’t turn on the stove without your supervision, it’s safer.
He Needs to Watch What He’s Cooking
While cooking a meal, he needs to keep checking it. If he’s likely to fall asleep shortly after turning on a burner, a slow cooker is a smart investment. Ideally, get a slow cooker with timers that turn the pot off or switch to warm automatically after a set number of hours.
Follow Food Safety Tips
Your dad shouldn’t be thawing his meat on the counter. In a word, it’s too risky. If he needs to thaw meat quickly, it must be remembered that running it under cold water or defrosting it in the microwave is best.
Leftovers should be moved to the refrigerator or freezer within two hours. Don’t let them sit on the counter for hours. Moreover, if flies have gotten onto anything, compost it. Don’t hope for the best.
After grocery shopping, perishables need to go into the refrigerator as soon as possible. If your dad forgets the milk on the counter and notices it the next morning, he needs to compost it and recycle or toss out the bottle or carton.
Purchase Cut Resistant Gloves
If your dad is okay cooking, but often cuts himself when the knife slips, buy him a pair of cut resistant gloves. His hands and fingers are protected from injuries that require stitches. Add knives with ergonomic handles to help him hold a knife properly.
Let Someone Else Cook for Him
Should your dad still cook meals on his own? Most importantly, if it’s not as safe as it once was. You should hire companion care at home aides to cook for him. Then he can have caregivers prepare meals and snacks, eat with him, and clean the kitchen after. Learn more by talking to a companion care at home specialist.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Companion Care at Home Glenolden, PA, and the surrounding area, please contact the friendly staff at Suma Home Care. (484) 206-4544
Sources:
Ibrahim recently completed a Professional Certificate in Management; He is currently pursuing a Masters in Business Administrations (MBA) at a prestigious university in the UK.
With their passion for helping others and a strong background in customer services and clinical care, Ibrahim and his wife started assisting individuals in their homes.
Since started and operating Suma Home Care in 2010 in the basement of their home, Suma Home Care has provided professionals who work endlessly in providing clients with the highest quality of care, while enabling clients to maintain dignity, comfort and safety in their homes.
Suma Home Care, serves four counties in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia. Ibrahim is firmly connected to his local community and is always looking for ways to give back whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Ibrahim enjoys spending time with his wife and children, travelling and enjoys sports.
Mariama Suma-Keita BSN RN
Born in Sierra Leone west Africa, relocated to America in 1999 from a civil war and settled since in the U.S.A as a Naturalized citizen Graduated from National school of nursing with an associate , and completed BSN in Nursing from Immaculata University graduated with Honor roll Alpha Lambda sigma, After escaping the war served as a refugee nurse in Gambia and Guinea to other displaced refugees before coming to America.
In the states started in Homecare then then transition into hospital, worked in Jefferson hospital as a Registered nurse on Tele and general medsurg floor, also worked in Einstein hospital as an oncology transplant nurse , I realized that I enjoy working with patients so much and believe in quality and compassionate care one at a time dealing with an holistic approach in caring for patients and family in a familiar environment called home , I see the impact and progress when they’re home , it makes them feel relax and progress fast with recovering at home. As a nurse and entrepreneur I understand that dedication to meeting people and families needs is a priority, and able to foster relationships with family and patients that is professional and friendly to help them stay and settled home as a desire.
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