Design The Kitchen For Safety, As Well As Efficiency And Style

Kitchens are the center of activity in most Alaska homes, so it’s never been important to make that area of the home not only beautiful and efficient but also safe. Kitchens also can be one of the more dangerous places in the house, so consider several factors when designing a new kitchen or remodeling an old one:

Make the Kitchen Big Enough

Is the space in your kitchen adequate? Cabinet space, counter space and floor space are all key elements to a well-functioning, safe kitchen. A good rule of thumb is design a total of 158-inches of countertop frontage, built 24-inches deep with at least 15-inches of clearance above, to accommodate all uses.

Traffic Flow

How does traffic flow? Can non-cooks avoid the cooking triangle (the space between the refrigerator, stove and cooking surface)? Do you want to accommodate more than one cook in the kitchen? What about creating a kitchen with an open floor plan to make more room for socializing, too? Design experts recommend walkways of at least 36-inches and work aisles with widths of at least 42-inches for one cook or 48-inches for multiple cooks.

Appliances

Are your appliances energy efficient? Older inefficient appliances may cost more in monthly utility bills than you’d expect. New technology with dishwashers, disposals and refrigerators may be well worth the investment. Many offer low-energy consumption features.

Disability Friendly Design

Can your kitchen accommodate people with disabilities? Do you plan to stay in your home as you age? SBS Design Center professionals can help you implement Universal Design features to keep your kitchen accessible to everyone (even you if your needs change later in life).

Along with making your space more attractive and efficient, kitchens can be designed or modified to reduce the chance of accidents like burns and scalding, fires, improper ventilation or electric shocks. Consider some of the following:

Proper Lighting

Both general and additional task lighting should properly illuminate work surfaces to reduce injuries. Make sure none of the lights produce a glow or shadow on counter surfaces.

Flooring

Select non-skid flooring for the kitchen area. Matte-finished wood or laminate, textured vinyl or a soft-glazed ceramic tile are some good choices. Add a throw rug with slip-resistant backing to high traffic areas, especially areas that get wet.

Fire Prevention

Install electrical switches, plugs and lighting fixtures away from water sources and wet hands. Building codes require that all electric receptacles be grounded and each one should be equipped with a ground fault circuit interrupter. These devices will shut off the kitchen’s electric current if a power surge or moisture is present. It also is recommended that all wall outlets in the kitchen be 15- to 48-inches above the finished floor. Every kitchen also should have a fire extinguisher. Locate fire extinguishers near a room exit, away from cooking equipment. Never store extinguishers under a cooktop or range.

Countertops

Avoid sharp corners on the ends of countertops, especially islands and peninsulas, by having them rounded.

For more kitchen design and safety tips, talk to your local SBS Design Center professional or visit the National Kitchen & Bath Association Web site at www.nkba.org