The kitchen is the heart of the home. A place where meals are prepared and served, laundry is done and where family life converges. The kitchen is a place for people to gather. It is also the place where accidents and injuries are most likely to occur. Sharp objects, hot surfaces and electrical appliances all pose a risk when not properly handled. With that in mind, we’ve put together some top tips for making your kitchen a safer place for you and your family.
Install Good Lighting
It is imperative when you’re working in the kitchen that you can actually see what you’re doing. Whether handling sharp implements or cleaning the work surfaces, without good lighting you might miss something and accidentally hurt yourself. It’s likely that you’ll have overhead lighting, but these can often miss the nooks and crannies of the kitchen. Consider installing task lighting underneath top cupboards to brighten up your countertop and help you to remain safe when working.
Use Sharp Knives
Sounds counter-intuitive, doesn’t it? Sharp equals danger. However, when it comes to cutting food, a blunt knife could end up doing more damage. Blunt knives are more prone to slipping, which can result in a painful gash if it makes contact with the bearer. A sharp knife cuts through food more seamlessly, reducing the risk of slipping and injuring yourself. To keep knives sharp, store them in a knife block. This is much safer than storing them in a drawer. Always make sure you handle them with care.
Choose Safety Features
When choosing appliances, opt for those with handy, built-in safety features, such as child locks and residual heat indicators. The NEFF Slide and Hide oven makes manoeuvring around the kitchen much safer and easier, with the ability to slide the door under the oven rather than leaving it ajar and in the way.
Consider Storage
Be smart when it comes to storage, especially when it comes to high up cupboards. Don’t, for example, place heavy pots and pans on high shelves where they could be dropped, injuring someone. Instead, place them in lower cupboards to drawers. Likewise, don’t overfill your cabinets. Cabinets that are overflowing can result in items falling out, possibly onto someone’s head.
Fire Safety
The number one place for fires starting in the home is the kitchen. In 2018, fire and rescue services in England attended 177,844 fires. Kitchen fires can start from all manner of things. Grease fires, faulty wiring or old appliances are just a few of the more common causes of kitchen fires. Keeping a fire extinguisher or fire blanket in your kitchen is one way to help protect yourself and your kitchen from fire danger.
Knowing how to deal with different types of fires too is important. For example, trying to put out a grease fire with water will only spread the flames.
Finally, make sure your smoke detector is properly installed and working correctly. You should be testing your smoke alarm once a month. Some people may even be eligible for free smoke alarm installation.
Food Safety
Our food can contain hidden dangers that we often don’t realise are there. Food that isn’t properly handled, stored or cooked can result in the growth of bacteria that can make us unwell. One simple way to prevent this is to use different chopping boards for different food types such as raw meat, cooked meat and vegetables. Keeping them separate will help ensure there is no cross contamination.
Slips and Spills
Whenever you are dealing with foods and liquids, there are going to be spills. Even the most careful person spills from time to time. It is important, therefore, that any spills, particularly clear liquids such as oil and water, are cleared up immediately, to prevent slipping. You could also consider investing in slip-resistant flooring to further prevent the likelihood of someone slipping and falling. Wood with a flat finish, cushioned vinyl and laminate with non-slip finishes are ideal for kitchen floors.
If accidents do occur, keeping a first aid kit handy in the kitchen is helpful for tackling minor cuts and burns. However, if a more serious injury occurs, call 999.
By following these tips, you can make your kitchen a little bit safer for you and your family.