The kitchen, as you know, is the heart of your home. As such, your kitchen should be a space where you can create delicious dishes and experiment with whatever recipes you find online or get from friends. However, the kitchen is not always a safe space for your culinary activities. Many of the stuff you have there can threaten your physical health and well-being. So, if you want to make this space a bit safer for you and your family, make sure you know about all these physical hazards in the kitchen and make a few adjustments to the area. Keep reading for some tips to help you ensure your kitchen is as safe as can be!
Low-Quality Containers for Your Food
Although not among the worst physical hazards in the kitchen, low-quality food containers can mess with your food prep process. Many home cooks like making food at the start of the week and ration their dishes out for the following days. It’s a smart way to save time and ensure you’re preparing your food instead of constantly buying outside. But when you don’t have airtight food containers, you risk spoilage before reaching the middle of the week.
Many cheap plastic food containers are made of low-grade materials. Aside from not sealing properly, they can also put harmful chemicals on your food, especially when you expose the container to heat, like in the microwave. You can even feel this plasticky taste sometimes, making you less happy with the food you made. If you want to avoid this taste and putting your health at risk, make sure you invest in higher-quality containers. You’ll surely feel and taste the difference.
Even if they’re a bit more expensive, glass containers are usually safer. They can also be more airtight than your other containers and offer more uses over time. If you don’t want the fragility of glass, you may consider BPA-free plastics, which are less harmful to the body. Make sure you always opt for food containers from reputable brands or find restaurant supplier stores with commercial-grade containers that are more durable and can withstand high temperatures and constant usage.
Hard Water
One of those sneaky physical hazards in the kitchen that you want to avoid is hard water. Do you see white residue on your sink and kitchenware after washing them? This stain is from the mineral-rich water from your faucets, also known as hard water. Hard water contains minerals, like calcium and magnesium, left behind when water evaporates, creating those crusty watermarks on your sink, countertops, and plates. Although not harmful to the body, they can look unsightly, especially when serving guests food and drinks.
Aside from the unpleasant stains, mineral residue can also cause problems in the kitchen. They can accumulate and build up inside appliances like your water dispenser, coffee machine, water heater, and dishwasher, ultimately restricting water flow. This can shorten the lifespan of these appliances by making them less efficient. You’d have to replace them more often, which is never good if you’re all about sustainability. To prevent this issue from wreaking havoc in your kitchen, you want to turn your hard water into soft water by removing all those harsh minerals before the water comes out of your kitchen faucet.
A water softener system is all you need. This system consists of various pipes, valves, and filters that lower the minerals in the water, leaving only soft water that feels better on the skin. Water softener installation can be expensive, but it will pay for itself in the long run by keeping your kitchenware, appliances, and fixtures in the best condition for many years. Ensure you work with a professional to install the system in your home to avoid issues.
Aging Fixtures in the Food Prep Area
Start with your plumbing. If you have old pipes running around your house, you should consider updating them with more durable replacements. Even if you don’t encounter leaks or other issues now, they can be ticking timebombs that will break down when you least expect it. The best way to prepare for this issue is to work with local plumbers. They can inspect your pipelines and tell you if they need to be replaced. They can also give you some advice when choosing what replacements to get.
Next, check your kitchen windows. Most people only focus on the windows in the living spaces, like the bedroom and living room, but your kitchen windows play a crucial role in regulating indoor temperature. You want double-paned windows that offer better insulation and durability. Of course, you also have various material and color options, so you can customize it as much as you want. Hire a replacement window company to help you do this quickly.
And don’t forget about your walls. Outdated walls can make any space look dull and tacky, so you want to update these surfaces to fit your modern life. You can use bright paint to add some life to the space or patterned wallpapers for some interest. If your home was built before the 1980s, you might also have to deal with asbestos. Make sure you get asbestos inspections before you tear down walls or make holes in the surfaces to avoid risking your and your family’s health. These physical hazards in the kitchen should only be handled by trained individuals to prevent the material from becoming airborne and causing health issues.
Out-of-Date Appliances and Surfaces
Aside from the fixtures, you may also find outdated appliances and surfaces in your kitchen. These things can make you work more slowly while preparing food, which can be a hassle when trying to whip up delicious dishes for guests or cranky children. They may also be worn out and out of fashion, making them stand out like a sore thumb in the kitchen. Of course, they can also become physical hazards in the kitchen because they can malfunction anytime. Consider upgrading as soon as possible to ensure your kitchen is always structured and functional.
Start with your appliances. Refrigerators, ovens, stovetops, and microwaves are large devices that can affect your kitchen aesthetic. If these haven’t been replaced for the last 30 years or so, it’s time to invest in something more modern. Older models won’t have those energy-efficient features that help keep your electric bills down. When shopping for new appliances, you want to look for the ENERGY STAR seal that tells you it is certified by the government for energy efficiency.
You should also consider your kitchen work areas, especially your countertops. Consider upgrading to quartz or granite countertops, which offer durability and unique aesthetics. These materials can last longer, are heat-resistant, and are easier to maintain. Although they’re expensive, you’ll get more use out of them, and you won’t have to worry if they can handle your culinary experiments. You want to find reliable suppliers with the best quality materials for your countertops.
If you find any issues with your kitchen, you can easily hire a kitchen remodel service to renovate it completely and create a more efficient space for food preparation. This will eliminate ugly surfaces, dysfunctional appliances, and other physical hazards in the kitchen. These professionals will ensure your space looks modern and beautiful while guaranteeing functionality and efficiency. They can also connect you with other professionals depending on your design needs, from natural stone suppliers to reliable appliance dealers.
Pests and Unwanted Animal Visitors
Kitchens are the most common places where pests settle down and create a home. Because you have various food items and ingredients in there, these critters can simply hide in the cracks and dark spaces in your home and feast at night when you’re asleep. Aside from munching on your food, they can also be physical hazards in the kitchen, as some of them can bite or sting if you try to catch and remove them from the property.
If you find any unwanted creatures in your kitchen, from ants and termites to rodents and raccoons, you should immediately call pest and animal control services. These professionals are fully equipped to handle animal intruders inside the home. They can also deal with dangerous infestations using their advanced safety equipment. After removing the intruders, they will also help you prevent the pests from returning with regular inspections and maintenance.
You need to take action to keep pests from reentering your home after extermination. Some simple tasks will help keep them out. First, seal your food items in airtight containers not only to protect yourself from accidentally eating the creepy crawlies but also to not attract them to your home in the first place. You also want to keep the space as clean as possible, ensuring you don’t leave spills or crumbs on your counter. If there are any gaps or cracks where these pests can enter, seal them as well. With some proactive steps, you can keep pests out and stay healthy for longer.
Slippery Floors and Tripping Hazards
Slippery floors are common in kitchen areas, making them dangerous for frantic cooks, old people, and children. There may also be tripping hazards you don’t want while preparing food for your family. These physical hazards in the kitchen can cause severe injuries and keep you from cooking freely. To avoid these issues, you should make a few adjustments at home.
First, avoid slippery floors. You might have spilled some water while washing the dishes or accidentally slicked the floor with olive oil. These can result in bad accidents, making them very dangerous. They’re also practically undetectable if you’re running around while cooking. As much as possible, mop and wipe the floor regularly. This will prevent liquids from making the floor a disaster waiting to happen. You can also invest in non-slip mats, especially around sinks and stoves.
You should also remove as much clutter from your kitchen as possible. This will prevent various items from dropping to the floor and becoming tripping hazards. Check for loose rugs, lost children’s toys, or any items that don’t belong on the floor. This will make your kitchen a lot safer. Always do these checks before you start cooking a meal and after preparing your food. This simple practice can prevent slip and fall accidents.
Electrical Hazards
Finally, ensure your kitchen is electrically safe. Electric currents are some of the worst physical hazards in the kitchen because water and other conductors are present. You can easily get electrocuted if you’re not careful. Fires can also start with a simple spark near flammable materials. Keep your family safe in this space by employing simple steps to prevent electrocutions and electrical fires.
Ensure you work with an electrician to check your kitchen’s electric wires and outlets. They can fix issues and prevent accidents, from outdated wirings to overloaded circuits. They can also replace or rearrange your electrical system to avoid contact with flammable items and water sources. Make sure you only hire certified professionals to maximize the safety of your kitchen space.
You also want to do your part by not overloading your outlets with various appliances, keeping flammable items away from open flames and outlets, and being careful when using electrical devices near water sources. You can even cover electrical outlets so you don’t accidentally splash water directly on them. This will make your kitchen a lot safer for you and your family. With just some preventive maintenance, you no longer have to worry about electric accidents while making delicious dishes at home.
There are many physical hazards in the kitchen to beware of, so you should always be ready to deal with them for your family’s safety. With some planning and prompt action, you can reduce these risks, from pests and electrical hazards to outdated appliances and fixtures. Keep up with kitchen maintenance, clean the space regularly, and call professionals to help if you don’t know where to start. Soon, your kitchen will be a haven where you can stay happy and stress-free while making food for your loved ones.
