According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association, the kitchen is the most commonly remodeled room in a home, it's also one of the busiest.

If you've been contemplating how to remodel or update your own kitchen space, remember to think beyond fashionable trends and décor and be sure to think safety first. Not only can you prevent accidents from happening to you and your family, but it can also be a boasting point if you consider re-selling your home.

Here are some simple guidelines to follow:

Provide the right lighting. Lighting isn't just about ambiance here; in the kitchen it should be glare fee and even. It can decrease your chance of injury when preparing a meal.

Install a slip-resistant floor. Flooring can instantly transform any room into a cozy, inviting space, but in the kitchen choose materials that will be less slippery when wet such as matte-finished wood or laminate, textured vinyl or even a throw rug with non-skid backing.

Purchase a fire extinguisher. This can be a real life saver. It should be placed away from cooking equipment and the stove top/oven areas and instead be placed close to an exit, so that it can be reached in the case of a fire.

Install water temperature regulators. Faucets that have anti-scalding devices greatly decrease the chances of children or others from being burned. And you can even program the water to your specific desired temperature setting.

Eliminate sharp corners on countertops. Counters are one of the very first remodeling considerations and can make a huge aesthetic improvement. But be sure to round the corners of your existing or new countertops; this can help you avoid bumps, bruises and scrapes.

To learn more about kitchen design and safety guidelines, visit the National Kitchen & Bath Association's website, nkba.org.

Published: July 29, 2008

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Tara Darby is a head anchor for Realty Times. She began her career in television soon after her reign as Miss Alabama USA 2004. She also landed in the Top Ten lineup at The Miss USA Pageant and participated in a special Miss USA Fear Factor on NBC. Obviously fear was not a factor for her since she won the competition! Later, she appeared as a special guest on Larry King Live to share her experiences. After that the media opportunities grew and so did her love of the camera, and thus her career began. Since then she has hosted several shows including two national series, and a new home builder show.