What’s the most important room in a home? While the answers will differ depending on who you ask, many would put the kitchen at or near the top of the list. It’s where good food is prepped, cooked, and devoured.
But it’s ironic that the one place on earth where people should feel the most comfortable and safest — home sweet home — can sometimes house some of the most serious risks for injuries or worse. Falls, slips, and trips are among the leading reasons for injuries among adults at home.
While injuries can occur anywhere, the kitchen is one high-risk area. When whipping up a tasty, multi-course meal to delight the taste buds of family, friends, and neighbors, be wary of common causes of accidents.
Here are five kitchen accidents that can easily occur — and how you can safeguard against them.
1. Slippery Floors
The CDC says around one out of four people every year fall and hurt themselves. People 65 years old and older are the most at-risk demographic. Unfortunately, many people suffer from slips, trips, or falls every year, whether at home or elsewhere. Slippery kitchen floors are one reason. After mopping the floor, it’s vital to ensure everyone in your home knows to avoid the kitchen area until the floor is properly dried.
It’s especially important to ensure that extra caution is taken if the flooring is slippery, even when dry. Some flooring types tend to be slippery by nature. You might have to request that guests wear house slippers rather than socks to safeguard against falls.
The last thing you need is to have a guest fall in your home and launch a personal injury lawsuit against you. These situations are more likely than you may think. So, take steps to reduce the risks of legal action.
2. Knife Injuries
It might not come as a surprise to learn that knife injuries are among the most common mishaps that occur in the kitchen. Whether because of improper handling, a lack of focus, or something else, knife injuries happen. You can reduce the odds of accidents by being careful when handling a knife — and keeping kids away from them.
3. Hot Surfaces and Burns
Yet another common cause of accidents in the kitchen is hot surface burns. Whether using the stove, oven, toaster oven, air fryer, crock pot, microwave, toaster, kettle, or something else, you should be careful.
Staying safe is as easy as being careful when using these things and ensuring that anyone using them is old enough to understand potential risks and mature enough to reduce risks.
4. Clutter
Clutter is a problem no matter where it is in the house. If your kitchen is overly furnished, the risk of slips, trips, and falls can go through the roof.
You should assess whether you have too many things in the kitchen area. If so, figure out what needs to be there, what can be stored elsewhere, and what should be tossed. When clutter is done away with, you’ll have more space to prepare meals without feeling claustrophobic. You’ll also have a safer kitchen space.
5. Improper Storage
Falling objects can also cause serious injuries in the kitchen. So, you must exercise caution when putting things away in cupboards, the pantry, or shelves. Store things correctly and ensure things are retrieved properly.
When cooking up a storm in the kitchen, be mindful of things that can cause harm. Remember these five points so you and yours can enjoy great food and conversation in the kitchen without encountering any unfortunate mishaps in one of the most popular rooms of the home.