It’s a fact that the kitchen is the most dangerous room in the house, especially during the holidays. In addition to kitchen fires and burns, knife and broken glass accidents affecting the hand and fingers are among the most common kitchen injuries. Each year, an estimated 350,000 people head to the ER with knife injuries alone.

“We see an increase in injuries from kitchen accidents over the holidays,” says Nitin Goyal, MD, hand, wrist and elbow surgeon, Midwest Orthopaedics at RUSH (MOR). “Most often they are from people cutting themselves while carving turkeys or on broken holiday glasses.”

Hand and finger injuries can be very serious and potentially cause someone to lose function or feeling. “People who experience a laceration or deep cut should seek treatment right away,” explains Dr. Goyal. “If a tendon is cut, it should be reattached in a timely manner to maximize the chances for healing and mobility. Severing a nerve can cause feeling to be lost, and this should be treated expeditiously to maximize the potential outcome.”

Before you take a stab at carving or cooking, make sure you are using the right technique. Dr. Goyal has these tips:

• Make sure your knife is sharp. This will help keep the food or knife from slipping.
  
• Keep your cutting area well-lit and dry. Good lighting will help prevent accidental finger cuts and a dry surface will prevent food from slipping while chopping.
  
• Always slice away from your hand and keep your fingers clear of the blade.
  
• Never cut something on the palm of your hand. That’s what cutting boards are for.
  
• Make round objects easier to cut by slicing them in half first and then placing the flat side on a cutting board.
  
• Don’t let your dirty knives soak in the sink – wash them right away to prevent accidentally grabbing a blade.
  
• Never multi-task while cooking and focus on what you are doing. Turn off the TV and save the chatting until you are finished.
  
• NEVER put your hand or finger in a blender that is on or even plugged in.
  
• Avoid alcohol until you are done carving, cutting, or handling glass.
  
• If glass should break, let it fall and don’t try to catch it mid-air. Wear gloves when picking up shards – and clean and vacuum all surfaces carefully.

A freshly remodeled bathroom is a welcome addition to any home, from aesthetics that reflect your personal style to the glossy, untouched surfaces and the refreshing scent of a newly finished space. Done right, even more rewards come from the practical touches that enhance your everyday use and how they make you feel.

Bathrooms are among the most common spaces for home renovations, whether you’re updating outdated fixtures and decor or reimaging features to better suit your lifestyle. In a world where every dollar matters, transforming your bathroom into a personal haven that blends your style with functional purpose makes it a smart investment you’ll appreciate long after the renovation is complete.

For a renovation that not only represents a worthwhile investment for today and tomorrow but also delivers emotional ROI, consider these ideas from the experts at Bath Fitter, a leader in stress-free custom bath and shower remodels.

Quality

Of all the rooms in the house, the bathroom may be where quality materials and workmanship matter most. Because it’s a confined space that sees a great deal of moisture and humidity, it’s essential that you use quality materials that stand up to the task and enlist professionals who know how to incorporate effective measures to prevent mold, mildew and other water-related damage.

Paying attention to quality throughout your renovation is also likely to bring you greater functional benefits, as well as increased home value and an overall more pleasing result.

Durability

Especially if you’re planning to be in your home well into the future, it’s a good idea to plan for durable features that can stand the test of time. Be sure to select premium materials and consider their durability and maintenance requirements. Some of the latest design options offered by Bath Fitter deliver the perfect blend of beauty and functionality, ensuring long-lasting durability. For example, the Lucca wall, a sophisticated textured and seamless Chevron tile pattern, offers the ideal combination of modern design and classic charm.

Another design-forward selection is the Sorrento wall, a large-scale 12-by-24 grout-free tile pattern featuring a textured design and a durable, easy-to-clean surface. Unlike tiles and grout, these walls combine on-trend beauty and innovative materials so homeowners can enjoy their bathrooms rather than stress about maintenance. Perfect for minimalist designs and traditional bathrooms alike, Ovation is a sleek and stylish skirted tub. The full line of brushed gold accessories, from trim kits and shower rods to doors and grab bars, can add a sense of warmth to your space.

Aging in Place

The wet and slippery surfaces in bathrooms can lead to injuries. While the risk can affect anyone at any age, bathroom safety is especially important for older adults with reduced mobility.

Planning ahead for your retirement years, or considering the needs of a future buyer, can help create a safe environment and reduce the risk of serious injuries. Some potential problems can be fixed with simple adjustments like rearranging the shelving, installing grab bars, adding seating or increasing lighting levels. In addition, a bathtub’s edge can be hard to navigate, but walk-in showers have a narrower edge, or can even be edge-less, making it easy for wheelchairs to roll in and out the shower.

Ease of Installation

Another important consideration is how the installation process will be carried out in your home. Installing a beautiful tub or shower doesn’t have to be complicated. A custom solution designed to fit your space and requirements may be more attainable than you expect. For example, with an option like Bath Fitter, you can have a premium-quality tub installed right over your existing one so there’s no demolition or mess involved in the remodel whatsoever. It’s the perfect blend of beauty and functionality without the stress and disruption of a traditional bath or shower remodel.

Because a local expert is with you every step of the way – from dreaming up the concept and selecting finishes to measuring, manufacturing and installation – there are no surprises. The result is a tub or shower with a seamless, grout-free watertight wall system that’s easy to keep looking great for years to come. All backed by a transferable lifetime warranty to provide peace of mind.

“As a renovator, I’ve seen firsthand how a bath or shower upgrade can completely transform not just a space but the way people feel about their homes,” said Scott McGillivray, HGTV star and home renovation expert. “That’s why Bath Fitter has been my go-to. Their installers provide high-quality workmanship while homeowners are left with the consistency, reliability and durability of beautiful products with lifetime warranties.”

Safety

A well-placed grab bar can mean the difference between a confident step and a dangerous slip in the bathroom for those aging in place, young children and everyone in between. Knowing where to place grab bars in the shower and around the tub creates a safer, more accessible space for everyone. Proper placement reduces the risk of falls and can bring added peace of mind and confidence to you and your family.

Professionals can guide you through selecting the best grab bars for your bathroom by considering the layout, your needs and design preferences, as well as ensuring your grab bars are installed at the correct height and securely anchored for maximum safety and convenience.

Discover more inspiration and design ideas to boost the long-term value and enjoyment of your bathroom renovation at bathfitter.com.

Century Communities, Inc. — a top national homebuilder, industry leader in online home sales, and featured on America’s Most Trustworthy Companies and World’s Most Trustworthy Companies by Newsweek — revealed its list of top outdoor living trends for summer 2025, drawing from the company’s expertise in designing quality new homes that thoughtfully connect indoor and outdoor living spaces.

“Inside and out, our goal is to create elegant spaces that cater to the evolving lifestyles of our homeowners,” said Kieran Hardesty, Vice President of Architecture at Century Communities. “Many of our floor plans incorporate features that promote a strong balance between indoor and outdoor living, providing functional layouts that our homeowners can enjoy throughout the year.”

Summer 2025 Outdoor Living Trends

1. Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Flow

This evergreen trend rightly tops the list, with a perpetual demand for floor plans and décor that seamlessly transition from interior living spaces to outdoor sanctuaries. Whether incorporating multi-slide glass doors (available on select company floor plans) to furnishing your patio space so that it mirrors interior colors, textures and arrangements, this is one outdoor living trend that will never go out of style.

2. Extended Dining Areas

Whether installing a full-fledged second kitchen outside or creating dedicated space for dining and entertaining al fresco, using your outdoor living space to extend and enhance the dining experience is another timeless trend that many homebuyers will have on their new home wish list this summer.

3. Embracing Bold Designs

The outdoor living space is an opportunity to add a little extra flair to your home’s aesthetic, bringing the party outside with vibrant colors and dynamic patterns. You can even have fun complementing colors from your garden and landscaping!

4. Outdoor Rugs

It’s easy to pigeonhole rugs as for indoors only, but they add a touch of style and help define living zones just as well outdoors. Plus, they’re one more tool in your design kit that you can complement with furniture and décor to create a cohesive and inviting outdoor aesthetic.

5. Firepits

There’s nothing like comfortable seating around a firepit to turn your outdoor living space into a year-round hangout. And there are no shortage of options—from rustic pit designs to fire pit tables, chimineas and more—to give your space just the right vibe.

6. Raised Garden Beds

Raised garden beds provide an elegant and practical aesthetic that pair easily with the rest of your outdoor living design. And even if you’re not a green thumb, you can always fill them with low-maintenance perennials.

7. Outdoor-Themed Neighborhoods

Don’t forget about outdoor living amenities beyond your property line. This could be anything from pools and sports courts to trails and dog parks. These days a significant number of homebuyers prioritize outdoor living in both their home and the surrounding community, with 34,000 homebuyers in 2024 purchasing in amenitized planned communities—like Sunterra in Katy, TX and Cadence in Henderson, NV—according to John Burns Research & Consulting.