Zapping your dishcloths could cost you your life!
Using your microwave as a cleaning device could lead to someone being hurt or seriously injured - That’s the message coming from Warwickshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service after researchers in America published an unusual piece of hygiene advice.
Research published in the American Journal of Environmental Health, claimed that by zapping your dishcloth or sponge in the microwave you could kill harmful bacteria and germs.
This has led to an astonishing increase in small fires, with people following the advice given, only to find their microwave set alight. Most of these incidents have been contained, however, it’s only a matter of time before it causes serious damage to someone’s home or leads to people being scolded or receiving serious burns.
Area Risk Manager, Simon Ellershaw said:
“Attempting to sterilize a dishcloth in this way is extremely dangerous. Although this sounds impressive, it would be much easier and safer to use a new dishcloth. Microwaves are powerful machines and can easily set flammable materials such as dishcloths and sponges alight. So we are asking residents to always read the manual before putting anything other than food in their microwave!”
For general fire safety advice please log onto http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fireandrescue