Microwave Safety

Microwave ovens are frequently perceived as less risky than conventional heating methods.

Many people do not appreciate or understand how microwaves heat food. The fact that a food container may not be hot may mislead someone to assume that the food itself is not very hot. This may result in a burn injury.

To reduce the risk of burn injury, follow these microwave safety tips:

• Always puncture plastic wrap before heating foods.
• Be aware that fillings in various foods may become extremely hot while the outer portion remains only warm to the touch.
• When removing hot foods, stir to distribute the heat.
• Heating baby formula in a microwave is a dangerous practice. The bottle may not feel warm to the touch, but there may be hot spots in the formula. Hotspots are places where the microwaves have reached first or more efficiently, producing uneven heating.
• Be sure that grandparents, domestic workers and other microwave users are instructed in safe preparation of food when using the microwave oven.