Cooking can be a lot of fun for both kids and their parents; it can also be quite dangerous if we don't take care with what we're doing. Before letting your children start on their culinary masterpieces make sure they understand the need to careful and the reasons why they should take the time to clean up before, during and after cooking.

If something is spilt on the floor it should be cleaned up at once to avoid anyone slipping and falling. While this can hurt at the best of times if the person slipping is carrying something hot or sharp it could prove quite painful.

Always use oven mitts (or if not available at least a tea towel) to carry or move hot pans or dishes, even if they don't feel hot initially they can eventually start to burn your hands if held for any length of time.

If you have a saucepan or frypan on your stove always turn the handles in so that they can't be accidentally bumped.

Never unplug (or plug in) electrical appliances if you have wet hands, otherwise you may get a nasty shock.

Always cut away from yourself. Whatever you're cutting place on a cutting board and always cut down and away, never toward the hand holding what you're cutting.

Don't leave spoons in saucepans on the stove. Not only can they get very hot you may also accidentally knock them and cause the saucepan to fall over.

Watch out for steam. If you need to lift the lid of a saucepan always be careful to tilt the lid away from you so the steam will escape on the side opposite to where you are.

Once you have finished cooking make sure all appliances are switched off and the work area and floor are clean to avoid any mishaps later.

These are just a few common steps both children and parents should take before they start cooking. Always remember that with a bit of care and preparation cooking can be a lot of fun.