A method for improving the operation safety of the smelt spout area of a recovery boiler, which smelt spout area comprises a working area (6), as well as smelt spouts (2) connected to the lower part of the boiler for directing the smelt from the boiler to a dissolving tank (4). In the method the smelt spouts (2) are separated from the working area (6) by a shielding wall (8, 10) arranged movable in relation to the smelt spouts. The invention also relates to a smelt spout area of a recovery boiler.