The kitchen is usually the most frequently visited room in the home. In addition to being the place for meal preparation and eating, it also tends to be a key social gathering spot. The question is, how safe and healthy for your family is your kitchen?
The Secrets of a Safer and Healthier Kitchen
In spite of the fact that the average house size has increased dramatically over the past few decades (even though average family size has shrunk), Americans tend to spend the majority of their time in just a few particular spaces in their homes.
As one study shows, 68 percent of the average family’s time is spent in the kitchen/nook area and the family room (particularly near the television). Thus, if you’re going to focus your energy and effort on improving any particular part of your residence, you probably should begin with the kitchen.
Here are six practical ways you can make that space safer and healthier for the entire family.
1. Be Conscious of What You Buy
No matter how much self-discipline you possess, you won’t be able to faithfully turn down ice cream, cookies, potato chips, and other unhealthy items that are stored in your pantry or refrigerator. The only way to force yourself consistently to eat healthy foods is to keep healthy items in stock.
Be tactical about what you buy, and expect to eat everything that comes into your home. For the best results, order your groceries online even if you do in-store pickup rather than home delivery. This will enable you to avoid making emotional purchase decisions.
2. Get Organized
Organization is paramount. From the pantry and refrigerator to drawers and shelves, every item should have a home.
Not only will this cut back on food waste by allowing you to see what you have on hand, but it also eliminates the wasted time of searching for utensils and cooking supplies. For best results, try these kitchen organization hacks.
3. Use Natural Cleaning Products
Just because you clean your kitchen frequently, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re actually getting it clean. Commercial cleaning products are full of harmful ingredients, chemicals, and toxins.
Dispose of these items safely and switch to natural ingredients. You can clean your kitchen with just a handful of everyday items, such as baking soda, lemon juice, dish detergent, white vinegar, lemons, and essential oils.
Cleaning products made with these ingredients will leave your kitchen both clean and safe.
4. Filter Drinking Water
U.S. drinking water may be safe when compared to the global standard, but it’s not of inherently great quality everywhere. It probably won’t make you sick in the short-term, but the long-term effects might be hazardous to your health.
It’s highly recommended that you filter your drinking water at the tap. This will give you great-tasting water that’s free of contaminants such as nitrates, sediment, chlorine, lead, cysts, and other pollutants.
5. Store Dangerous Items Securely
The kitchen can be a dangerous place for young children, but it doesn’t have to be. Remember to:
- Keep knives out of reach. Instead of storing them on the counter, place them inside a cupboard or up on a shelf.
- If you have alcohol in your home, make sure it’s out of reach and/or behind some sort of lock. Young children may get into alcohol without knowing what it is.
- When cooking something in the oven, turn on the oven’s child-safety lock to prevent a toddler from opening it during use.
Smart, proactive steps like these can prevent serious mishaps from occurring and enable you to design a kitchen that’s welcoming to the entire family.
6. Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector
It’s a good idea to have carbon monoxide detectors installed throughout your home, but it can be particularly worthwhile in the kitchen, where gas ovens and ranges pose a potential threat to your family.
You can install advanced detectors on the ceiling, or use simple plug-in options in wall outlets. Anything is better than nothing.
Get Control Over Your Kitchen
You’re in charge of your kitchen — not the other way around. By implementing some of the tips covered in this article, you can regain control and make it a safe and healthy space for your family to cook, eat, socialize, and entertain.
Now’s the time; don’t put it off any longer!
Article Submitted By Community Writer
