7 Toaster Oven Safety Tips to Avoid Fire Damage

5/11/2022 (Permalink)

Contact the professionals at SERVPRO for any size fire damage project!

Every year, toaster ovens cause thousands of fires in homes across the United States.

Toaster ovens are one of the most popular small appliances. They're efficient and durable and come in various sizes to fit your needs. But with that convenience comes a level of fire risk if not used and cared for properly.

Toaster ovens are responsible for more house fires than any other small appliance! If you have a toaster oven in your home, it is essential to be aware of the dangers and take precautions to avoid fire damage.

The professionals at SERVPRO of South Cobb understand that the best way to avoid fire damage is to prevent the fire from happening in the first place. Therefore, this blog post will discuss seven toaster oven safety tips that will help keep you and your family safe from potential toaster oven fire damage.

What are toaster ovens?

Toaster ovens are small appliances used to cook various foods, including meats, vegetables, and pizzas. They are similar to regular ovens, but they are smaller and typically have fewer features.

Are toaster ovens a fire hazard?

Toaster ovens are a fire hazard because they use electric coils to heat food. The coils can get very hot, up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and can easily cause a fire if not used and cared for properly.

Toaster ovens will become a fire hazard concern when any of the following occurs:

• If the toaster oven is left on and unattended
• If something flammable, like a paper towel, is left too close to the toaster oven
• If the toaster oven coils become damaged or worn out
• If food crumbs or grease builds up on the toaster oven coils

Seven toaster oven fire safety tips

It is essential to follow these toaster oven safety tips to prevent fire damage in your home:

1. Always use your toaster oven on a flat level surface.
2. Do not leave your toaster oven unattended while it is in use.
3. Keep flammable objects, such as towels and curtains away from your toaster oven.
4. Use gloves or tongs to handle hot food.
5. Keep the toaster oven clean and free of crumbs.
6. Do not use aluminum foil to line the toaster oven.
7. Unplug the toaster oven when it is not in use.

What to do when a toaster oven causes a fire?

When a toaster oven causes a fire, it can quickly spread to other parts of your home and cause extensive damage. Therefore, if your toaster oven catches on fire, it is essential to know what to do to minimize the damage and keep yourself and your family safe.

The first thing you should do is unplug the toaster oven and turn off the power to the appliance. Then, using a fire extinguisher, attempt to put out the fire. If you are unsuccessful in putting out the fire, or if the fire is too large to handle, evacuate your home immediately and call 911.

Once you have evacuated your home, do not go back inside until the fire department has extinguished the fire. After the fire department has cleared the property safe to re-enter, you will want to contact a reliable fire restoration company to handle the fire damage.

Conclusion

Today we learned that toaster ovens are small appliances found in many homes across the United States. They're efficient and durable, but they also come with a level of fire risk if not used and cared for properly. 

We hope you enjoyed the seven toaster oven safety tips to help you avoid any fire damage in your home. If a toaster oven fire has damaged your home, the professionals at SERVPRO of South Cobb are here to help. We have the training and experience to handle all aspects of fire damage restoration, from smoke and soot removal to repair and rebuild. We understand that fires are stressful events, and we will work quickly and efficiently to get your home back to normal. Contact us today for more information.