Accidents Happen

We all know accidents can and do happen all the time, any where. But they seem to be even more prevalent in the kitchen. You can slip and fall and you will get cuts and burns. That’s just a given. With enough time, things will happen. Most will be minor, but some will be a lot more serious. Some will even land you in the ER. I have definitely had my share, and yes I have been to the ER a few times too, though it had been a while; until yesterday. I guess I was due.

We are having a small get together tonight for game night and a taco bar. I was making what I could in advance. Fortunately, I had the food already made and was in the process of storing it before I had my accident.

I sliced my finger and almost severed the top of my finger off and I also severed one or more of my small venal capillaries at my finger tip. It bled profusely. I did all the things I was supposed to do, and followed the RICE rule, with the exception of the REST portion. Rest will come later. The RICE Rule is:

R= rest

I= ice

C= compression

E= elevation

I ran my hand under cold water; I wrapped it in towels with ice, applied pressure, and kept it elevated. The bleeding wouldn’t stop. After about 30 minutes, I decided I needed to get myself to the ER for stitches.

I ended up needing 5 stiches. The ER doctor did a great job, but she is concerned that because I severed one or more of my venal capillaries, that I may have also severed one or more of the many nerve endings in my finger tip as well. We will know more later, in 10 days, after I get my stitches out. Until then, I will be bandaged up. I don’t want to bust open my stitches or risk infection. It doesn’t hurt, but that is part of the problem. It doesn’t hurt. It should. I don’t really feel much at the moment. Hopefully that will change.

I know you are all wondering how I cut myself, and so badly. Surprisingly, it was NOT with a knife. I cut myself with the serrated cutting portion of the plastic wrap box. It is clearly marked CAUTION: SHARP BLADE too. The weird thing is that it fell out of my hands and as I was trying to catch it, it sliced right through my finger. Had it been a knife, my instincts would have kicked in, and I would have let it fall to the floor, like we are taught to do. But I guess I thought I would catch it right and everything would be OK. I guessed wrong! Believe it or not, these serrated edges are actually where most of the cuts come from in professional kitchens. And they do in home kitchens as well.

Is this going to change my plans? Of course NOT. I may be slowed down and inconvenienced a bit, but the show must go on. The game night and taco bar will still take place as planned. I’ll rest when I can, but don’t expect that to happen anytime soon. šŸ™‚

My lesson to all of you is DON’T try to grab these sharp objects if they fall. Let them fall. It will do far less damage than if you cut yourself and end up in in the ER! Better safe than sorry! ‘Til next time.

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Author: ajeanneinthekitchen

I have worked in the restaurant and catering industry for over 35 years. I attended 2 culinary schools in Southern California, and have a degree in culinary arts from the Southern California School of Culinary Arts, as well as a few other degrees in other areas. I love to cook and I love to feed people.

48 thoughts on “Accidents Happen”

  1. I am so sorry, Jeanne, for your accident! I am not going to comment or give you advice to slow down a bit as you are far too experienced to need it. I hope all will bewell when you have stiches emoved.

    Joanna

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  8. Oh, boy. OUCH! I hope you heal nicely. No rest for the wicked, huh? Yes, those things are sharp and I’ve cut myself on that in the past, I think, too. It’s ridiculous because it doesn’t really cut the foil/wrap/paper but it does cut flesh!

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  9. P.S. Have you thought of visiting a plastic surgeon with a specialization in hand surgery for a consult regarding the potential nerve injury? I’m assuming the ER doctor would have referred you if appropriate, but… dunno… just a suggestion.

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  11. Oh Jeanne! I am so sorry your hand got sliced so badly. I do hope you donā€™t have any nerve damage. I wouldnā€™t have guessed that the cutter on plastic wrap could do that. Feel better soon. ā¤ļøā€šŸ©¹

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  13. Pingback: The Taco Bar – A Jeanne in the Kitchen

      1. Years ago, I accidentally stuck my finger into a working garbage disposal. It was the middles finger on my right hand, and it was mauled! I was teaching at a Catholic university at that time, and for about a month, when asked why I couldn’t write, I had to show the nuns a totally inappropriate finger.

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