What is the recommended way to handle kitchen knives for safety?

Cutting away from your body is the recommended way to handle kitchen knives for safety because it minimizes the risk of injury. When a knife is moved away from the body during cutting, it reduces the chance of accidental cuts or stabs if the knife slips. This technique helps maintain control over the knife and allows for a more deliberate and precise cutting motion.

Proper knife handling is crucial in a kitchen environment where the risk of accidents is inherent. Waving knives or using them to get attention can lead to serious injuries, as others may not expect a knife to be waved around. Holding a knife with the tip pointing down may give a false sense of safety, yet it does not address the risk of cutting oneself if the knife is dropped or mishandled. Using a knife as a serving utensil is also not advisable; it’s not designed for that purpose and could lead to injury or contamination of food. Thus, cutting away from the body stands out as the best practice for ensuring safety while using kitchen knives.