Keeping Kids Safe From Microwaves

I consider the microwave oven one of the best inventions in the 20th century. For a few decades now, microwaves have been regular fixtures in American kitchens. After all, the microwave oven is far more efficient than conventional cooking machines, and that makes it more advantageous now that people are always in a hurry.

Operating a microwave oven is easy as pie (no pun intended); even small kids won't have a difficult time doing it themselves. Hence, parents should be aware of the proper usage of microwaves, as well as the red signals that lead to accidents, in order to keep their kids safe from the possible hazards.

Keep Baby's Milk Away From Microwaves
A study in Minnesota confirmed the risks that are involved in cooking baby's milk in microwaves. Firstly, the microwaves issuing from a microwave oven can pass through containers, and that includes baby bottles. After cooking, the container may still feel cool to the touch, and this can hoodwink us into thinking that the milk inside is of the same temperature. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to predict the outcome if a baby were to make a grab for that seemingly cool baby bottle. And lastly, the milk can lose some of its nutrients and protective properties when cooked inside a microwave, not to mention the BPE that can be released once the container is heated.

Avoid Superheating Liquids

Water is considered superheated once it goes past its boiling point but without the bubbles that are usually associated with boiling. This usually happens when boiling water in a microwave oven. Since the steam cannot be released outside the container, surface tension in the liquid builds up. If water got disturbed through moving, the superheated water could burst and cause scalding to children in close proximity with it.

You can avoid this from occurring by placing any small wooden implement in the water before the actual boiling. The best advice probably is to set a time limit that does not exceed more than 2 minutes when boiling water.

Stay Away From Microwave Radiations
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) monitors each and every microwave oven that are being sent out for commercial use to ensure that the amount of radiation they emit are far below the level that is known to harm people. The limit is 5 mill watts of radiation per square centimeter at a distance of approximately 2 inches from the oven's surface. Also, there's a significant drop in the amount of radiation when moving away even by a very short distance.

However, it always pays to be safe. A microwave oven might have defects that are not easily discernible. Always make sure that the door seal and oven cavity is free from dirt or any cloying substances. Checking for any physical damages to the inner surfaces where the door and the door seals meet are also suggested to make sure that there's no gap where radiation can pass through.

And finally, never allow your children to be in close proximity with the oven when it is operating. And finally, don't allow small children to operate the microwaves especially if you're using a counter top.