Seniors and Kitchen Safety: Tips for the “Heart of the Home”

For aging adults, it’s quite easy for the room that’s considered a primary gathering place—the kitchen—to instead become a nightmare. Not only are seniors over the age of 65 more likely to be injured in a kitchen fire, they are more likely to suffer a fall injury due to: items stored out of reach—both too high and too low—and the likelihood that meals are carried to eat in another room.
The reasons aging adults are more likely to start a kitchen fire, or otherwise be injured while prepping food include: they may be less able to take quick action in the case of a fire; medications that affect cognition; a decrease in balance abilities; and diminished mental faculties.
Key areas to consider when making the kitchen safe for a loved one: fire prevention safety, comfort and convenience.
Tips on Fire Prevention:
• Never leave food unattended while cooking; it is the primary
cause of kitchen fires.
• Don’t leave the house if food is simmering, baking or roasting.
• Investigate automatic shut-off devices. They cost as much as $300, but
peace-of-mind is priceless. According to agingcare.com, auto shut-off
toasters are available for as little as $30.
• Never set a coffee maker to automatically brew.
• Do not cook while wearing loose clothing, and make sure all kitchen towels
and potholders are located far away from cooking surfaces.
• Have a qualified electrician check all wiring and outlets.
• Consider switching to an electrical teakettle.
• Use pots that have two handles.
• Clean up the stove immediately after each meal so oil, fat and grease
do not build up on the surface.
• Convenience, Comfort and Fall Prevention
• Clean up cluttered areas.
• Install bright lighting.
• Don’t use out-of-reach cabinets.
• Replace glass items with unbreakable ones.
• Store heavy objects at waist level.
• Check for leaking water from the fridge.
• Install Lazy Susans in corner cabinets and on counters.
• Turn pot handles inward.
• Test and dust smoke detectors monthly, and replace batteries every year.
Myles McNamara, owner of Comfort Keepers In-Home Care, works professionally with seniors and their families to keep seniors safely in their homes. He can be reached at (661)287-4200