How to enter our vlog competition safely

Taking part in the Cooking at Home vlog competition? Here are some essential safety tips, before you get started.

To ensure you’re safe while creating your cooking vlog, here are some simple rules to adhere to:

• The technology you use to film your cooking vlog should be planned in advance, to ensure you stay safe as you cook:

• Do not attempt to film yourself and cook at the same time

• Use a tripod or stand with your phone or camera, to film yourself, or ask a parent, sibling or friend to film you

• If there is a spillage or accident, forget about the filming and seek assistance to ensure you’re safe

•  Children under the age of 18 should be supervised by an adult, when:

  • Using sharp knives or scissors

  • Using peelers

  • Using food processors and mixers, blenders

  • Using mandolins

  • Cooking using heat – stove, kettle, microwave, oven

  • Preparing raw meat

  • Carrying heavy items

• For very young children, ensure hazards are out of reach – pot handles, hot food, liquids, sharp or heavy utensils and cleaning products

• BBC Good Food has a guide to cookery skills by age, which you may find useful.

Food safety

• A simple guide to kitchen safety for children can be found online here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoSq9T6OejA

• Wipe down food preparation surfaces before you start cooking, and remove any trip or electrical hazards

• Wear an apron to cover your clothes, and keep the food that you’re preparing free from dirt, germs, and dust

• Wash your hands before you start cooking and after touching raw meat; make sure you use soap, to get rid of germs and dirt that water won’t remove on its own

• Use a specific chopping board and knifes when preparing raw meat, to avoid cross contamination

• Tie back long hair

• Set out all of the ingredients and tools you will need

• Wash fruit and veg in cold water to remove bacteria found in the soil

• Check the dates on your food. Food that has a ‘Use By’ date should be consumed by that date. Even if it looks and smells OK, there’s a possibility that it contains harmful bacteria.

• Don’t touch pets while you’re preparing food; if you do, wash your hands with soap and water before you get back to cooking.

Doing all of the above ensures that you stay safe, and those enjoying your meal stay safe too!