Do Not Microwave Face Masks: Guilford Fire Department

GUILFORD, CT — Guilford firefighters are reminding residents not to sanitize face masks in the microwave. The reminder comes amid a reported increase in microwave fires across the country, the Guilford Fire Department said on their website.

"This is not a recommended practice by microwave manufacturers," the fire department said, adding that the metal in the nose forming area of the mask can heat up and cause a fire.

Guilford firefighters cited social media posts recommending the practice of microwaving masks, noting that the heat of the metal can ignite the fabric. "DO NOT place any face masks in the microwave for any amount of time," firefighters said.

The fire department shared a link to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's brochure on using cloth masks, including how to make them.

"According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a hot spin in the washing machine is the best way to clean and sanitize cloth face masks. Officials also recommend washing with a high-grade detergent and a small amount of bleach to disinfect the masks of any germs," the fired department quoted.

See the Guilford Fire Department's release here.