almost burnt the kitchen down

[justanotherjen]

My oldest two kids have been allowed to use the microwave since they were 5.  At the time our microwave had a button for 1 minute and another for 30 seconds so it was easy to teach them to use only those buttons.

We now have a microwave that has a twist dial to set the time (and a button for 1 minute).  I showed the kids how to turn the dial to 30 seconds or 1 minute and didn't think anything of it.

Well, today my 7yo son lost his microwave privleges.  He turned it on really long and set his sandwich on fire.  He burnt his fingers when he tried to take the plate out and then through the plate and burning sandwich into the garbage which was his biggest mistake.  On top of the garbage were a bunch of bags from loaves of bread which then started to smolder. 

Through all of this he never said a word to me, he just tried to cover it up.  I started to smell smoke and realized something was wrong since they aren't allowed to use the stove.  When I went into the kitchen the whole room was already filling with smoke.  Not just regular smoke.  This stuff was awful.  It made me sick to my stomach and when I coughed I almost threw up all over.  The kids were short enough that it hadn't reached them yet but I was instantly sick from breathing it in (I still feel sick to my stomach).

I got them all out, turned on the exhaust fan, opened the back door and turned the ceiling fan on.  The garbage was still smoking and so was the microwave which I opened (it is now all dark brown in there and the glass plate is burnt).  But by the time I got everyone out and the fans on and the door shut the smoke had filled the rest of the house.  Now all the windows are open (it's only 40 degrees outside) and the kids are outside trying to stay away from the smoke.  It's awful.

It's so bad in the kitchen I can't get in there.  I held my breath long enough to get the trash out of the kitchen and to get some ice for my son's burnt fingers but I almost threw up twice while in there and had to run outside for fresh air once I was out.

I'm not sure if the microwave will work again or if I can get it clean.  He learned a very valuable lesson, I think.  He already said he is grounding himself and was in tears because he screwed up.  I was more angry that he tried to cover it up instead of yelling for help at the first sign of trouble (the smoking, burning microwave).  Now he's injured, the microwave is a mess and we've all been breathing in acrid smoke and it's freezing in the house.  I had to turn the furnace down because almost every window is open and all the fans are on.  Brenna's watching TV in her coat, lol.  It's starting to clear out so I guess I have to go try and clean the kitchen now.  Should be fun.

I guess, like father like son.  I have heard the story many times of how my husband almost burnt his parents' kitchen down using the microwave.  Only difference is my husband was in his 20s and should have known better.  He put a hot pocket in and accidentally set the time to high and went to jump in the shower.  When he got out the microwave was on fire and he pulled the plate out which fell on the floor and burnt a hole in the new vinyl flooring.  He has never lived that down.

[Phyreglow]

Feb. 8, 2009 at 10:37 PM

Wow....wow... I don't know what the hell I would do. Count my self lucky and have a serious fire safety training day. Poor guy, must have scared the crap out of him. When I was a kid I tried to make hot chocolate by putting milk in the coffee maker. It was a disaster similar to what I hear from you. Now it is one of my family's favorite jokes to share at any  social occasion. Thanks for sharing. : )