Free booklet to help avoid kitchen accidents

Press, 2 December 1978, Page 23

Free booklet to help avoid kitchen accidents

Some housewives support the equivalent of half a tonne of pressure on their spine when preparing the family dinner, according to the Accident Compensation Commission.

“Recent New Zealand research has shown that in some cases bending, lifting and carrying an Bkg casserole puts a point pressure on the fifth lumbar (lower back) disc which can be in excess of half a tonne,” says the booklet “You and Your Kitchen Safety” just published by the commission.

The booklet explained why kitchens should be made safer and how to set about it, said an Accident Compensation Commissioner, Mr J. L. Fahy.

"Research has shown that falls, bums and scalds are the most frequent home accidents,” he said. “Most of these happen in the kitchen, mainly during meal prepa-

ration, serving and eating.”

The booklet suggests that good design, adequate storage and efficient use of the kitchen can reduce these risks.

It pays considerable attention to storage and says this is the easiest and cheapest way of reducing accidents caused by reaching, bending and twisting.

The booklet also suggests that the tidiest people are not always the safest. “Applicances used every day — toaster, electric frypan — should stay on the bench top to eliminate lifting, reaching, or bending.” To reduce the spinal pressure involved in bending and lifting heavy articles in and out of the oven, it says, the safest design is a wall-oven with the lowest shelf at elbowlevel and a door which opens to the side or up, rather than down.

Many recommendations

are simple common sense, but overlooked in some kitchens. For example a refrigerator or freezer should be positioned near a bench or table so that articles can be easily transferred. In addition, those buying a refrigerator or freezer should choose a model with a door which opens away from the bench, not towards it. Under the heading “Noise ~ . . the subtle intruder,” it suggests placing equipment such as cake mixers or blenders on foam plastic mats to help reduce the noise level. The booklet also includes information on kitchen designs, food storage, fire extinguishers, bench heights, electric jugs, child-resistant locks, cooking tops, lighting and suitable flooring. “You and Your Kitchen Safety” is available free from offices of the Accident Compensation Commission.