Microwave Oven Safety Issues

Keeping your microwave oven running in tip top shape is easy with a few simple steps. If you follow these guidelines your oven should give you years of trouble-free and leak-free service.

Safety Tips

• Never operate a microwave oven when empty There is nothing (food) to absorb the electromagnetic radiation. This can severly damage your microwave beyond repair.
  
  
• Check all door seals, door surfaces, and the oven cavity for old food or debris. If a leak happens it is usually concentrated around the door of the microwave. Seals can dry out and food can get lodged between the oven cavity and the door. This will cause leaks to develop.
  
  
• Don't let children operate a microwave. For some reason kids really like to push the buttons or spin dials on a microwave. Teach them that the microwave is off limits. It only takes one incident to have your appliance destroyed.
  
  
• Is your microwave oven broken? If it is you should have it repaired by a qualified service technician. The magnetron that is in a microwave is a very powerful device as is the wattage up converter. It can be dangerous if these devices are not repaired correctly.
  
  
• Check your microwave for leaks at least once a year. It's better if you can check every 6 months, but one year can be sufficient. Just remember, if the door is constantly being slammed shut, mistreated, or gets jammed a leak is likely to develop. Remember to use your leak detector to check for leaks!