Microwave Safety: 10 Tips to Avoid Common Hazards Leave a comment

Kitchen appliances save us a lot of time and make many jobs easier, and microwaves have become an essential appliance of our daily lives. A microwave oven in your kitchen can make cooking and reheating food a lot more convenient and quicker. However, with great convenience comes great responsibility. Microwave safety is often overlooked, but it’s crucial to take it seriously and avoid common hazards that can lead to injuries, fires, or even worse accidents. In this article, we will discuss 10 essential tips to ensure your microwave usage is safe and hazard-free.

1) Read the user manual

Before you start using your microwave, it is important that you take some time to read the user manual and learn to use it properly, because many of us often skip this step, and that can lead to accidents in the future. Reading the manual will help you understand the safety guidelines, recommended cooking times, and power levels. Microwaves can vary significantly in terms of features and functionality based on the model, so even if you have used one before, don’t assume you know it all.

2) Choose microwave-safe containers

You would know that not all containers are microwave-safe, so only use microwave-safe glass, ceramic, or plastic containers. Avoid containers made of metal, Styrofoam, and other unsafe materials, as they can cause sparks, fires, or toxic fumes.

3) Defrost safely

Defrosting food items with a microwave is extremely easy and convenient, but while doing it, you need to be cautious. As mentioned above, only use a microwave-safe container and cover the food to prevent any juices from splashing, but never place any sealed container in the oven.

4) Avoid overheating

No one wants to eat overcooked or burnt food, so make sure you set the perfect timer to ensure that won’t happen. Overheating liquid food items, such as soup, can cause explosions and burnt food can cause fires. Overcooking food also causes major nutrient loss, so always set the timer right and regulate the microwave.

5) Keep a safe distance

Accidents happen when we least expect it, so while you cook, maintain a safe distance from the microwave while it’s operating. The concern of radiation leakage from microwaves affecting pacemakers has been resolved, but still, stay away to avoid exposure to electromagnetic radiation.

6) Keep an eye on children and pets

Children and pets are unpredictable, and keeping them away from the microwave while it’s in use is the best practice to ensure their safety. Curious minds and paws can lead to many accidents, so it’s best to practice caution.

7) Clean up regularly

Flammable substances spilt in the microwave can cause serious accidents, and spills, splatters, and leftover debris can lead to bacterial growth as well. So cleaning up your microwave regularly is crucial.

8) Never activate an empty microwave

Unlike air fryers or toaster ovens, a microwave doesn’t need to be preheated, and starting an empty microwave can cause fires and serious accidents. So make sure you never activate an empty microwave.

9) Replace your old microwave

A microwave oven can last between 7-10 years on average, but outdated microwaves can pose safety risks due to worn-out components or outdated safety features. If you are using an outdated model, replacing it with a new one is safer.

10) Follow the basic safety precautions

Avoiding wearing metal jewellery while cooking, avoiding operating a microwave with wet hands, keeping the microwave’s ventilation area clear, and unplugging it when not in use are all basic precautions we take while operating a microwave, and you should never forget them!

End note

Microwave ovens are extremely convenient appliances, but having some caution while using them is very important to ensure everyone’s safety. If you feel like its finally time to replace your old microwave oven or buy a fridge online in Kerala, head to the Kannankandy e-store and start browsing to discover the best brands and offers. Buy refrigerator online in Kerala from Kannankandy eStore for the best online shopping experience!