If a knife starts to fall, what should you do?

• A. Try to catch it quickly
• B. Move away and let it fall
• C. Grab it by the blade
• D. Chase it across the floor

Answer: (B)

When a knife starts to fall, the safest move is to step back and let it land. Catching a falling knife is risky because the blade can swing or slip, leading to deep cuts on your hands, fingers, or forearms. Grabbing the blade is even more dangerous; blades are extremely sharp and can cut you quickly, even with a fast reaction. Chasing it across the floor keeps you in the path of the falling tool and can cause you to slip or trip, which could injure you or someone nearby.

What to do instead is clear the area, let the knife finish falling, and then pick it up only after it’s stationary. When you do pick it up, grab it by the handle with dry hands and keep the blade pointed away from your body as you set it down on a stable surface. This habit helps prevent serious injuries and keeps everyone safer in the kitchen.