April 7 is World Health Day and this year’s theme is Food Safety.
Your kitchen is where you create healthy and appetizing dishes for your family, including your children. But if all the effort you are putting in is washed away by the fact that your loved ones keep falling ill — the cleanliness of your kitchen is to blame. Here are 7 easy tips to keep your kitchen clean and ensure that your family does fall prey to foodborne illnesses.
Use a covered dustbin: Your dustbin is a breeding ground for pests like mosquitoes, rats, cockroaches and flies, all of which can spread a number of diseases such as diarrhoea, gastroenteritis, typhoid etc. To prevent that, make sure you use a covered dustbin or at least one that you can cover at night. This is because a lid will prevent the odour of garbage from permeating the air, thereby not attracting pests. Apart from that, since your garbage will be covered, cockroaches, rats and other critters will not be able to feed, preventing them from entering your home.
Clean your washbasin or sink with a good detergent everyday: This is an area where you wash used utensils. But just because you wash your vessels there, don’t think your sink is clean. With oil, fats, blood (in the case of non-vegetarian food), food particles and other rotting bits coating your sink, especially in the corners — your basin/sink becomes a breeding ground for fungus, other bacteria and can also attract other pests that cause infection and other ailments.
Wipe down surfaces well after use or spillage: The countertop that you use to cut meat and vegetables is another spot that requires your attention. This is because as you cut vegetables and meat, blood and other juices tend to pool in certain areas making it ripe for infection causing bacteria. Also, if you spill milk or other sweet substances on your countertop and do not clean it properly, it can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus because of the protein and sugars these foods contain. Additionally, the dirt also will attract flies and other pests. So make sure you wipe down your countertops with a well-cleaned rag regularly. You should also wash your cutting boardand rag the right way to ensure that they are clean and do not cross contaminate your food.
Clean the crevices in your kitchen: The corners of your kitchen sink, counter top, the spots between your kitchen tiles and the crevices on your kitchen floor (especially where you keep your dustbin) tend to collect dirt, grime and food particles. While this is absolutely normal, it is essential that you clean these areas at least once a week with a good kitchen cleaner to keep diseases at bay.
Clean your drain twice a month: Your drain may seem clean from the outside but with rotten food and other materials getting washed down your drain on a regular basis it is the home to pests like cockroaches and rats. These food particles get attached to the walls of your drain, making it perfect for these pests to call it their home. Therefore, it is a good idea to clean your drain with an appropriate cleaner at least twice a month. If your drain gets clogged, make sure you unclog and clean it as soon as possible to prevent it from overflowing.
Use a pesticide where food is stored and around your drains and garbage: Using a proper pest control method or pesticide regularly in areas where you store foods such as rice, pulses and other raw material is the best way to prevent them from getting infested with pests and other insects. This also deters rats and cockroaches from attacking your food contaminating it and contaminating it. There are a number of natural ways to prevent the entry of pests into your home, but know that this must be supplemented with a regular cleaning schedule as well.
Clean your fridge and microwave regularly: Your fridge and microwave are two places that are often ignored but are very ripe breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses that can cause foodborne infections. This is because spillage from food stored, cooked and even rotting meat or vegetables can harbour bacteria and fungus that can cause diseases. Apart from that cockroaches love the environment in your fridge and can often be found in the appliance. So make sure you clean your microwave and fridge on a regular basis to avoid foodborne infections.
Originally published on www.thehealthsite.com
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}