Don't Microwave Cloth Facemasks, Cherry Hill Fire Company Warns

CHERRY HILL, NJ — While the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends cleaning face masks residents are wearing during the outbreak of new coronavirus, doing it the wrong way can be a fire hazard.

“The Cherry Hill Fire Department would like to remind folks that microwaving cloth masks is a fire hazard,” the fire department said in a social media post on Tuesday. “Do not place any face mask in the microwave for any amount of time.”

People are reportedly doing this in response to what they believe to be credible posts they see on social media instructing them to do it, and nearly burning their houses down.

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One Illinois woman told the McClatchey News, “I put it in the microwave on two minutes and turned around to do something (else). I turned back around, probably not even 30 seconds, and it was a fire. I’m not talking about smoke. I’m talking about blazing flames.”

“The CDC recommends normal machine washing on a regular basis is the best method to kill germs and to clean cloth masks,” the Cherry Hill Fire Department clarified.

New Jersey shoppers must wear a facemask when they’re going shopping for food or other essential items or when picking up takeout orders at restaurants or any food places. Those same food places must provide the personal protective equipment to their workers, too. Read more: Gov. Murphy Expands NJ Coronavirus Mask Order As 251 More Die

See related: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know