4. Train cats to stay off the counters. (No, really.)
This item may sound silly, but it’s on this list for a reason. If you have a young cat, your furry friend has probably jumped on the counter over and over again. Sure, this is cute to watch. But it’s dangerous when it comes to kitchen safety.
Animals have bacteria on their paws, and if you aren’t around to see that your kitty has jumped on the counter, you won’t know that he or she has made an appearance. The last thing you want is a kitty jumping on the counter just after using the litter box. That’s no different than a person touching the counter just after using the bathroom. Yuck!
So train your cat early to stay off the counter, and reinforce the rule to protect your health.
5. Clean cabinets often.
Bugs – they're something none of us want to think about. But an unclean cabinet can attract just that. Yikes!
To avoid critters, clean out your cabinets often. This means wiping up any spills, like flour. Consider vacuuming up dry food spills to help get food out of cracks and crevices.
There’s another important factor in this equation. Throw out old food on a regular basis, and keep any foods that don’t seal in a sealed container as opposed to the original box or bag -- pet food included.