Keep electrical switches, plugs and lighting fixtures away from water sources and wet hands. Building codes require that every electrical receptacle be grounded and protected with ground-fault circuit interrupters, which shut off the room’s electric current if there is a power surge or moisture is present.

Think about traffic flow. If your kitchen is anything like mine, there will be a lot of foot traffic flowing through your kitchen. With that in mind, it is important place key appliances in areas where that foot traffic will not interfere with your cooking. Locate microwaves conveniently above the floor to avoid reaching to retrieve food. Slide-out trays and bins in base cabinets make storage items more accessible and eliminate bending. Avoid putting a range near an entrance or exit. And lastly, avoid sharp corners on the ends of countertops, especially islands and peninsulas, by having them rounded.

Regulate water temperatures. This is particularly important if you are going to have children using the faucets in the kitchen. Install faucets with anti-scald devices that prevent water temperature from rising to dangerous levels, or buy pressure-balanced valves that equalize hot and cold water. Faucets are also available that can be pre-programmed to your desired temperature setting.

Use proper lighting. Good general lighting, supplemented with proper task lighting that’s clearly focused on a work surface, can greatly decrease your chance of injury while preparing a meal. Also, the lighting should not produce any glare or shadows on the surface.

Keep a fire extinguisher within reach. While it is best to have a fire extinguisher within plain site, it is not always going to fit in with your decor. If that is not an option, keep it under the sink or in a pantry that is easily accessible from every point in the room. Never store an extinguisher near or under a cooktop or range. If a fire is to occur, those areas will likely be the cause and make an extinguisher stored in that area unreachable.

Find a safe cooktop. Avoid being scalded by steam from a boiling pot by staggering burners on your cooktop or have one straight row of burners. Choose a unit with controls along the side or in the front. When children are around, it is also important to install knob guards on the stove to prevent a child from accidentally turning on a burner and severely burning themselves, or even worse.

Use slip-resistant flooring. The dangers of slipping and falling, especially when you may be carrying hot food, is pretty obvious. A slip-resistant material on your floor, such as matte-finished wood or laminate, textured vinyl or a soft-glazed ceramic tile, will do the trick. If you select tile or another smooth surface, try using a throw rug with a non-skid backing as an added precaution, especially around areas that get wet.

The codes vary from state to state and in some cases, city to city, so it is important to consult a professional if you are not 100% sure of the building codes. There are many free resources out there that can guide you through some of the industry standards if you do a quick search on the internet.

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Article Source: Populate.net

My first reaction was WOW! Then my second reaction was “Are You Crazy?” Understandably one of the main concerns anyone would have would be about durability. The main questions obviously are how will a glass kitchen sink stand up to changes in water temperature and chemical cleaners, not to mention the shock of physical objects dropped into the sink itself? Who would want a kitchen sink you have to handle with kid gloves?

Some companies offering glass kitchen sinks have addressed these issues and have come up with a material that is a unique form of borosilicate glass. Borosilicate glass is the oldest glass known to show high resistance to sudden temperature changes. In fact, borosilicate is the glass of choice for refrigerator and oven cookware.

It first came into commercial prominence when Corning marketed a type of borosilicate glass known as Pyrex. The glass material these companies have come up with is non-porous and non-absorptive, making it impervious to the common elements as well as to many chemicals and liquids. It is exceptionally resistant to abrasion and surface scratches, and it is fatigue-proof.

These sinks can withstand repeated temperature changes between 0 and 212 degrees Fahrenheit without damage and are highly resistant to chemical corrosives and can be cleaned with any commonly used household or commercial strength product. They also won’t become cloudy or rust over time.

The companies offering glass kitchen sinks claim their glass sinks require no more special treatment than a standard porcelain sink and say they are tough enough to withstand the wear and tear of everyday life while remaining beautiful. Realistically, however, a heavy object such as a cast iron or soapstone pot will crack a glass kitchen sink, just as it would a porcelain sink.

Personally I would still probably consider them for a prep sink or a bar sink. I’m still not entirely convinced about having the main kitchen sink be made out of glass because I do need a sink that will stand up to heavy pots and pans abuse but I think this is a really great idea and this gives a whole new array of options and possibilities in kitchen designs.

It might be perfect for someone who doesn’t cook a lot or for someone like a friend of mine who uses her dishwasher as a filing cabinet…But I still think it’s a really cool product that’s definitely worth checking out.

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Rebecca Noel is a licensed real estate agent and real estate investor. Remodeling houses and home improvement diy are her area of interest. Find out insider information that will save you $1000′s on materials and help you get your remodeling projects done weeks faster at Remodeling Recon.

Article Source: Populate.net