If you’re like me and still use an old-fashioned manual can opener, you know you’re always one fingertip slip away from a nasty cut from a sharp can lid. My vintage Ecko can opener is the “Old Faithful” of my kitchen, but I’ve found that some of the modern marvels in the can opening arena can leave the same ultra-sharp can lid as my oldie-but-goodie. This can be especially dangerous for those little assistants in the kitchen who are a bit less adept at handling the grownup’s clunky tools.

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Next time there’s a can to be opened, keep everyone’s hands safe with the use of a magnet. Before you begin cutting through the lid, place a magnet on the top of the can. Cut through the entire lid with the opener. (Leaving a small portion of the lid attached to the can will actually defeat our safety agenda.) Holding the magnet, gently lift the lid off the can and dispose of it (carefully!). Optionally, instead of immediately tossing the lid in the trash, set it aside until you’re done with the can. Afterwards, dispose of the sharp lid by placing inside the empty can.

Most any type of magnet with a decent amount of magnetic force will work. Keep a couple of decorative magnets on the side of the fridge. I’ve even used kids Magnetix toy pieces in a pinch.