Avoiding Eye Injuries When Handling Raw Chicken

Protecting Your Eyes from Raw Chicken Juice

When preparing raw chicken, it's important to take precautions against accidentally squirting or splashing chicken juice into your eyes. Raw chicken may contain pathogenic bacteria that can cause eye infections.

How Raw Chicken Juice Can Harm Your Eyes

Raw chicken commonly carries bacteria such as Salmonella and Campylobacter. If the raw chicken juice gets in your eyes, these bacteria can cause:

• Conjunctivitis (pink eye) - inflammation of the outer eye and inner eyelid
• Keratitis - infection of the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye
• Endophthalmitis - infection inside the eye that can permanently damage vision

Preventing Eye Exposure

You can reduce the chances of squirting raw chicken juice in eye through safe handling techniques:

• Avoid directing the raw chicken towards your face
• Wear eye protection like safety goggles when working with raw chicken
• Use a splatter screen when frying chicken on the stovetop
• Secure chicken pieces with tongs rather than holding slippery raw meat directly

Immediate First Aid if Eye Exposure Occurs

If raw chicken juice does spray or splash in your eye despite precautions:

1. Immediately flush the eye with clean, lukewarm water for 15-20 minutes
2. Hold the eyelids open gently to irrigate thoroughly under the top and bottom lids
3. Use eyewash if available, or continue rinsing the eye at the sink or in the shower if needed
4. Wash hands thoroughly with soap before and after flushing eyes

Seek medical attention promptly if eye irritation, pain, discharge or vision changes develop after rinsing the eye thoroughly.

Common Chicken Preparation Injuries

Slicing Fingers and Hands

Sharp knives and slippery chicken lead to many cuts while slicing, chopping, boning or spatchcocking raw chicken. Make sure knives are sharp and undamaged. Protect hands with cut-resistant gloves and secure chicken pieces firmly when cutting.

Burning from Hot Oil

Heated cooking oil can produce painful scalds. Ensure frying pans have high edges to reduce splashing. Use long tongs rather than hands when lowering chicken into hot oil to avoid splatters. With deep frying, lower the chicken into oil slowly and don't overfill the pot.

Undercooked Chicken Food Poisoning

Consuming raw or undercooked chicken can lead to salmonella or campylobacter food poisoning. Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165F internally before serving. Wash hands, surfaces, plates and utensils after handling raw poultry to avoid cross contamination.

Safely Handling Raw Chicken

Employ these safe raw chicken handling tips to protect yourself from injury and illness in the kitchen:

Purchase Cold Chicken

Inspect chicken packaging at the store. Choose refrigerated packages that are tightly sealed and clean. Make raw chicken your last grocery purchase so it spends minimal time at unsafe temperatures during transport and storage at home.

Store Properly

Refrigerate chicken right away in a bowl or container to prevent juices from dripping onto other foods. Raw chicken can harbor bacteria safely for 2 days below 40F. For longer freezer storage, wrap chicken securely and label with the date.

Avoid Cross-Contamination

Bacteria from raw chicken can pass to foods eaten raw. Keep raw chicken sealed until ready to prepare. Use separate plates and utensils for raw versus cooked foods. Clean all surfaces with hot soapy water after working with raw chicken.

Cook Chicken Thoroughly

Heat chicken to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165F verified with a food thermometer. The meat should appear opaque throughout without any pink areas when fully cooked.

Understanding proper raw chicken handing helps minimize food poisoning and kitchen injuries. With some basic precautions taken when purchasing, storing, prepping and cooking chicken, you can protect your familys health.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.