Tip number one.

A knife is one of the most basic kitchen tools you can use. When you're out on your own you might have the need to use a knife in in a social situation. If you don't follow these three simple things you might find yourself at the emergency room. 

The three things:

Always cut away from yourself. Never force the knife down on something towards your body. This is particularly true when handling round fruit or vegetables such as apples or squash. The knife can slip easily off the skin or you can cut through with more force than you think is necessary.

Hand knives to someone else handle first. You need to think about others' safety as well as your own. When someone asks you to pass a knife, turn it over vertically and offer them the handle side first. You can grasp the sides on the knife blade with your fingertips to protect yourself. Some people will be in a rush and grab anything that is offered to them. If you hand it to them blade first they're going to cut themselves.

Never put a knife into a soapy sink. A knife in a soapy sink is a disaster waiting to happen. Leave the knife out of the sink and wash it by itself at the end. This avoids any accidental cuts when you move your hands under the water looking for something else to clean. This is very true during Thanksgiving when you will find you've used knives you never knew you had.

This stuff sounds very basic, but if you do cut yourself determine if you need to seek emergency help. If it's a cut to your hand or finger you can usually run it under cold water to stop the bleeding then dress the wound. If you puncture yourself you should go to the hospital to make sure any infection is taken care of.

If you find the bleeding won't stop call the doctor and/or call someone to help you. You can pass out very quickly if a wound gushes blood. 

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