Keep knives sharp. Although this may sound counter-intuitive, a sharp knife slides more easily through an item avoiding a slip that may cut something you didn’t intend to cut, like your finger.
Pay attention. Resist the temptation to become distracted while using a knife.
Cut away from, not toward, yourself.
Don’t hold food that you are cutting; use a cutting board.
Don’t leave knives in dangerous places — loose in a drawer, in the sink, on the counter or facing up in the dishwasher — especially if you have children.
When handing someone a knife or sharp scissors, hold the flat part of the knife blade or closed blades of the scissors so they can grasp the handle.
Don’t pick up broken glass; sweep or vacuum it up thoroughly.
In an emergency, call 911; plus, research in advance where your nearest emergency room is.
Clean. Clean the wound with soap and water, hydrogen peroxide or iodine. Apply a triple antibiotic ointment two to three times a day to reduce the risk of infection or tetanus.
Cover. A bandage that is changed daily or when it becomes wet or dirty will help keep the cut clean and bacteria free. Later, when the threat of infection is unlikely, exposing the cut to air will quicken healing.
Accidents happen, but exercising caution when dealing with knives and other sharp objects and carefully treating wounds when they occur will go a long way towards keeping you and your family safe and healthy.