7 Things In Your Kitchen That Are Making You Sick

If you have ever been a victim of food poisoning, you know that foodborne illnesses of any kind are no joke. After all, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that each year roughly one in six Americans (or 48 million people) get sick from foodborne illnesses, 128,000 of those are hospitalized, and 3,000 die from those diseases. Naturally, you assume that all of these foodborne diseases occur in dirty restaurant kitchens, far away from your home and your family. But what if we told you that these illnesses can be sparked in the heart of your home due to your everyday practices in your own kitchen?

Click here to see the 7 Things in Your Kitchen That Are Making You Sick (Slideshow)

In truth, you should think of your kitchen as a permanent crime scene, where you have to meticulously cover your own tracks to keep yourself safe. There is danger lurking around every corner and all of the minor details count. Leaving a cutting board out that hasn't been thoroughly washed, especially if there's been meat on it, can provide opportunity for dangerous bacteria growth. And even the seemingly simple mishandling of your refrigerator contents could lead to a deadly issue. 

To make sure that you and your family are living in the healthiest way possible, we compiled a list of the most common, but possibly unknown sources, of kitchen safety issues. Check out our accompanying slideshow to learn where the dangers lie and what you can do to stop them!