Hints From Heloise

Dear Heloise: I had a blazing fire in my microwave recently. I always line my bread basket (straw) with paper towels and put my bread in it. I did the same yesterday and the paper towels and basket caught fire. I just left the oven closed and the lack of oxygen put the fire out.

I checked my microwave oven book and read “Do not use recycled paper towels in the microwave, as they contain small metal particles and can catch fire.” I checked my paper towels and, sure enough, they were recycled. I especially want to get this word out to latchkey families whose children use a microwave, as they may attempt to remove the burning contents from the oven with disastrous results. - Margaret Zirbel, Bozeman, Mont.

Your words of caution are very important. Thank you for writing. - Heloise

Dear Heloise: A dear friend could no longer read my letters because her eyesight was getting poor. I started typing my letters and then took them to a copy machine that could enlarge the text so she could read it. It’s been a great help. - Judy Brasseur, Richmond, Texas