NH fire officials urge people to not put face masks in microwaves to sterilize them

The New Hampshire State Fire Marshal's Office has a message for everyone using a face mask: do not put it in the microwave to sterilize it.>> Download the free WMUR appIn a social media post, officials said microwaving masks to kill germs is a fire hazard and an extremely bad idea.>> Latest coronavirus coverage from WMURCloth masks overheat quickly and catch fire, and some have a metal bridge on the nose which can cause sparks, fires and also break a microwave.>> COVID-19 in New Hampshire: What you need to knowThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people clean their masks with detergent in the washing machine, on the warmest setting.

The New Hampshire State Fire Marshal's Office has a message for everyone using a face mask: do not put it in the microwave to sterilize it.



>> Download the free WMUR app


In a social media post, officials said microwaving masks to kill germs is a fire hazard and an extremely bad idea.

>> Latest coronavirus coverage from WMUR

Cloth masks overheat quickly and catch fire, and some have a metal bridge on the nose which can cause sparks, fires and also break a microwave.

>> COVID-19 in New Hampshire: What you need to know

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people clean their masks with detergent in the washing machine, on the warmest setting.