Kitchens serve as the central hub in every home, providing a space for families to come together, share meals, and engage in social activities. Despite being the heart of the household, kitchens can pose potential risks, particularly for families with young children, prompting concerns for parents.
To create a safer environment, therefore, it’s crucial to implement the right precautions and consider strategic remodeling. Engaging the services of remodeling contractors chicago or professionals of similar expertise elsewhere can be instrumental in ensuring that your kitchen is not only aesthetically pleasing but also designed with safety in mind. Put simply, thoughtful remodeling measures can help prevent accidents and transform your kitchen into a secure and child-friendly zone, providing peace of mind for parents. Some of them have been mentioned below.
Work surfaces
Stain-resistant work surfaces are a great option for busy kitchen environments. Wooden worktops benefit from being extremely low maintenance and can be cleaned easily and quickly with warm water. Wood also tends to have a softer landing surface than other worktop materials, and can be sanded down for a smooth touch. Having rounded cornices and curved pelmets fitted around your worktops and cabinets can also reduce the risk of your child hurting themselves on sharp edges.
With families who lead busy lifestyles, there is bound to be some wear and tear on the kitchen surfaces. However, by having your kitchen fitted with durable, cost-effective materials such as solid oak, the room can be kept in optimum condition for many years, reducing the need for frequent upgrades. When choosing a work surface, you may also want to look for a lacquer finish that is resistant to damage and stains caused by food and drink spillages.
Cabinets
As well as standard cabinets, you may also want to think about using full-height cabinets from Cabinet Solutions and similar companies to store dangerous items out of reach, including knives, liquids, and cleaning products. Wall cabinets with doors are also a practical way to keep glasses and plates away from curious hands and also provide great space-saving solutions – ideal if your kitchen surfaces are constantly cluttered.
Don’t forget that installing child-friendly cabinets doesn’t necessarily mean you have to compromise on style or quality. Companies such as Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets offer a range of elegant and modern solid wood fittings that can blend seamlessly into any kitchen.
Appliances
Built-in appliance cabinets are a great way to keep children away from dangerous scenarios involving cookers, dishwashers, or microwaves. Not only can they provide a useful safety barrier, but appliance cabinets can also be tailored to blend seamlessly into the style and design of the room.
In general, appliances should be positioned safely and conveniently to facilitate easy movement of hot dishes and plates. In addition, it is critical to regularly check for any damaged wiring and to repair it quickly and properly to ensure the safety of your children. It is advisable to consult an appliance repair expert who can assist you in minimizing the risks associated with kitchen appliances. Appliance repair experts can help to identify potential risks and provide tips on how to address such issues in a timely and cost-effective way.
Other considerations
For extra safety and peace of mind, you may also want to install soft-close draws to your cabinets to prevent children from catching their fingers. Catches and locks can also be fitted to drawers and cabinets to help prevent children from accessing dangerous items like knives.
When it comes to the layout, open-plan designs generally work best for family-focused kitchens by reducing the risk of accidental collisions. Having a table or separate work surface area away from where you are preparing meals is a great way to keep your children at a safe distance whilst still being able to engage with each other.