Last Updated on June 15, 2024 by Kravelv
Kitchens can be one of the most dangerous rooms in the home. Slippery floors, sharp knives, fire hazards, and other risks make it a room where safety is a priority. Fortunately, you can install some safety features in your kitchen to minimize these dangers and make your kitchen an enjoyable environment with a focus on food.
Slip-Resistant Floors
Slipping is a common concern in kitchens. Many kitchens utilize hardwood or tile floors that may become slippery when wet and can lead to nasty falls. We recommend coating your flooring with a non-slip laminate to minimize this risk. Consider adding a throw rug with a non-skid backing near sinks and stoves since these areas experience high foot traffic.
GFCI Outlets
Your home may have ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets in some rooms, so it’s a good idea to make sure one is in your kitchen. Ground fault circuit interrupter outlets are commonplace in bathrooms and help to prevent the risk of a water-induced electric shock by shutting off under specific circumstances. Ensure the outlet by your kitchen sink has the same safety features. You may occasionally encounter problems resetting your GFCI outlet, but they are easy to fix for this valuable safety feature for your kitchen.
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Fire Extinguisher
House fires commonly ignite in kitchens, so a fully-charged fire extinguisher is an important safety feature to install in your kitchen. A frequent mistake that many people make is storing the fire extinguisher near the stove or other causes of fire hazards. If you keep the extinguisher too close to the potential source of a fire, it may be unreachable during a fire emergency. We recommend keeping your extinguisher under the sink or in a nearby pantry where it’s easily accessible but unlikely to be in the direct path of the flames.
