Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most dangerous places in terms of accidents at home. The risk of accidents can be reduced by paying attention to the fire safety, utensil storage and furniture in the kitchen. Most home fires start in the kitchen and they are often caused by people’s own action or inaction.  Flammable materials should not be stored on or near the stove, and the stove should not be left unattended during cooking. 

There are various fire safety devices available for the kitchen, such as stove guards and child locks – first-aid fire-fighting equipment should also be close at hand in the kitchen. Fires caused by defective appliances or electric systems usually involve early warning signs: if there are problems with an appliance, it should be repaired before it is used again.  Read more about electrical product requirements from the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes).

The risk of fire in a kitchen can also be reduced by taking care of cleanliness, such as vacuuming the backs of the fridge and the stove. When the kitchen is clean, slip and fall accidents can also be prevented. In the kitchen’s storage solutions, you should pay attention to the safety of any children, adults or older people using the kitchen. Also ensure that no one needs to stretch for items and a sturdy stepladder with handrails is available as needed.  Kitchen knives, other sharp utensils and toxic chemicals, such as detergents, should be stored out of the reach of children.