Tag Archives: kitchen

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Home Safety Products

AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO EXTINGUISH SMALL HOUSEHOLD FIRES (GUEST POST)

There are times when there are small fires at your home. In a state of shock, you usually panic and call the fire brigade when you could have easily extinguished it yourself. In unfortunate incidents, there are also chances that these small fires could end up turning ugly and disastrous till the time fire brigade reaches your place. Therefore, keeping convenient and easy to use materials or equipments at your home to tackle such situations is a must. 

Fire blankets are one such option which can quickly, easily and efficiently help you to extinguish small household fires, all by yourself. These blankets are usually used in the kitchen area as there are chances of small stove or electrical fires in this part of your house. Usually, fire needs three different elements to keep on going. These are oxygen, heat and fuel. In the absence of any one, the fire ceases to exist. This is the principle on which fire resistant blankets work. These blankets make use of fire resistant material which blocks out any one of the three elements which keep a fire going. Depending on the usage and manufacturer, these blankets may be made out of different types of materials. Blankets which are made for small household fires are made up of fiberglass. 

How do these blankets work 

When you put a fire resistant blanket on top of the fire correctly, it starts suffocating the flames. By covering the whole surface area of the fire, these blankets cut off the oxygen supply which let the fire grow. By cutting the supply of oxygen, these blankets make sure that the fire does not grow and spread. Make sure that you do not try to extinguish big fires with the help of these blankets. Fire resistant blankets help in extinguishing only small household fires. In case of a big fire, just leave the area and give a call to the fire brigade. 

Storing Fire resistant blankets

Fire blankets can be easily stored in any corner of your home. They come in small plastic packages when you buy them. The package usually comes along with a manual. This manual has all the necessary instructions on how to store and use a blanket in times of need. Make sure that you go through all the instructions at the time of purchase. Depending on the manufacturers and the usage of the blanket, different blankets may have different instructions. So, you should read the instructions on how to unpack and use a blanket as soon as you purchase it. Fire blankets should be usually kept or stored in an area which is prone to small fires. This area may include kitchen or an additional cooking area where you might be keeping your grill or barbeque. Also remember to not lock away the blanket in a cabinet. Make sure that it is easily accessible whenever it is needed. The best place may be the kitchen wall or somewhere near the additional cooking area. These blankets are usually packed in a way so that they can be easily thrown over a small fire when needed.

Thanks, Sachin, for this information.  I think I may try one of those fire blankets! 

General Safety Issues

TIPS TO MAKE YOUR KITCHEN SAFE (Guest Post)

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There are many reasons why people like to get their kitchens redecorated. Among them is child safety. Plenty of accidents happen in kitchens of homes, and homeowners want to take every possible precaution to ensure that their kids will remain safe in the area. After all, it’s one place that small children and toddlers are bound to end up in a house. If you’re looking to get your kitchen remodelled, following are a few tips you may consider. 

Child-proof locks must be used wisely 

All drawers and cabinets that contain sharp objects like scissors and knives, lighters and matches, medications, cleaning supplies, breakable objects like glass and heavy objects like cast iron skillets must have locks. Apart from keeping dangerous items locked in cabinets and drawers, it also serves as an idea to put hazardous items that aren’t used very frequently in drawers that are not in your child’s reach. 

Baby gates must be used to keep kids out 

Though toddlers and babies may be good to have around, but when you’re cooking, it is safer, and more practical to keep them away from the kitchen. For instance, when there are too many cooks, it is best forchildren to stay out of the area, as more people in the kitchen increases the chances of accidents. Moreover, there may be times when toddlers just make their way to the kitchen and find sharp or dangerous items to play with. The best way to keep them out is to install a baby gate that allows them to look on the other side and interact, but doesn’t let them get past into the thick of the action.  

If you’re busy cooking, and there’s no one to baby-sit, you may place the toddler in a playpen or a high chair inside the cooking area. Playpens and high chairs keep children contained and away from harm, while allowing them to be part of things inside the kitchen. 

Appliances must be used to practice child safety 

Appliances like the refrigerator can be locked using a child-proofing product. Devices that can keep stoves bolted into the wall and keep it from flipping over are also available in the market, in case the kid uses the door of the oven as a step. Small appliances that are not being used must be kept unplugged and the cords must be wrapped up and away from the kid’s reach. For the pots on the stove, make sure that their handles face inward. This is extremely important to ensure that the child doesn’t grab it and pull the pot, and the boiling liquid down onto him/herself. 

There is no doubt that kitchens are inviting and warm rooms in a home, but the fact that many an accident occur in the area cannot be overlooked. Cabinets must be locked, unsafe items must be put in high places and away from children’s reach, baby gates must be used to keep toddlers away from the hazards of the kitchen and appliances must be used to practice child safety and then, you can be assured that your child will be out of harm’s way. 

Penny Cooper is an expert associated with Kingston Cabinets, manufacturers of white oak radiator covers based in London & Handforth (UK). Kingston Cabinets offer a beautiful collection of home radiator cabinets and radiator cover grilles, designed to add style and distinction to every home.

Thank you, Penny, for this good advice on child safety.  Many accidents happen in the kitchen, and most are preventable. pb

 

 

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

TOP TEN PLACES FOR INFORMATION SIGNS

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One of the best parts of writing blogs is hearing from friends all over the world – which affords the luxury of comparing and sharing ideas on ways to keep everyone safer.  Today’s article comes from Matt Hornsby, guest author, from the United Kingdom.  We think you will enjoy reading his version of the importance that information signs play:

The home and the workplace can be a dangerous place. But one thing you can do to make these places less hazardous is by making sure you have the right equipment and information signs in place. Here are 10 spots you might want to consider: 

THE COOKER

 

Of course, the kitchen is one of the most dangerous places you’ll find in the home. Therefore it can be wise to make sure you have fire extinguishers, blankets and fire safety signs near to your oven, hob and grill.

 

NEXT TO YOUR FIRE EXTINGUISHER

 

It’s important to have fire extinguishers around the home or at work, but if you don’t know what purpose they are to be used for, it makes them less effective. Information signs can let people know exactly type of extinguishers are available so they can more safely put out a fire if they need to.

 

AROUND CABLES AND WIRES

 

This is particularly a problem for offices – as phone lines, computers, printers and internet connections all come with their own set of cables and wires. In addition to cable tidies, you should also consider simple warning signs to stop people from tripping over them.

 

IN ROOMS WITH VINYL OR TILED FLOORS

 

Sure, it’s the name of a Bon Jovi album, but ‘Slippery When Wet’ is also a handy piece of information to have in a kitchen, bathroom or anywhere where there is a vinyl or tiled floor. Simple slips and falls can cause serious injuries, so protect against them.

 

AROUND FIRST AID POINTS

 

Should someone have an accident, you want to know that they are able to get the attention they need as soon as possible. So let them know where there is an appointed first aider or kit with first aid signs to guide them.

 

AT FIRE EXITS

 

Getting people out of the building quickly when there is an emergency is already something of a challenge, but if you are able to make people aware of fire exits in advance with the right fire exit signage, you could be giving yourself valuable extra time.

 

AROUND RECYLING POINTS

 

More people are keen to make sure they are recycling to help protect the planet. But you need to make sure people know where they can easily place their plastic, paper and cans – so putting up recycling signs is a great idea.

 

STAFF ONLY/PRIVATE MEETINGS

 

More for the workplace than the home, there will inevitably be areas you don’t want the public to roam. A simple no entry sign will keep people from dangerous areas or places that are only meant for authorized staff.

 

OVER DOOR FRAMES

 

All buildings are different – and some have ceilings and doorways that can be hazardous to those over a certain height! A head injury can be nasty, so simply putting up a sign alerting people could be useful.

 

AROUND SMALL STEPS

Just like low ceilings and doorways, small steps can surprise people and cause accidents. However, putting down some trip hazard signs around them is an easy way to help stop this.

 

Thanks, Matt, for this interesting information.  I am not sure what a “hob” is, but would like to know!  We are very fortunate to have friends like you who will share their knowledge with our readers.  Please let us hear from you again.  You may read more from Matt’s website at: whatishealthandsafety.co.uk