26 February 2023 , 10:32
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Toast is a staple of many households, and many people don't think twice before putting a few slices into the toaster.
However, those who regularly use their toasters have now been issued a serious warning about the dangers many people won't have considered.
Toasters are the third most common appliance to cause a house fire, according to research by ElectricalDirect in 2021.
Toaster fires are usually caused by something as trivial as a crumb, which is why breakfast eaters have been issued with a stark warning about the potential dangers.
It's important to keep them clean (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Cleaning toasters aren't usually on top of peoples' to-do lists, and it turns out many people didn't even know you could empty the crumbs from inside a toaster.
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The dry breadcrumbs lurking at the bottom of the toaster, coupled with extreme heat, can cause smoke or even flames – so it's important to regularly empty them.
Removing the crumbs will lower the safety risk while also keep your toaster working better, therefore lasting longer.
Christian Strandoo, product manager at Morphy Richards, told the Liverpool Echo: "There are really two types of toaster owners; those that regularly empty their toaster's crumb tray, and those that don't even know they existed.
"The crumb tray sits underneath your toaster and catches errant crumbs so that they don't build up inside the toaster slots. If you've never noticed it before, the crumb tray compartment can usually be opened from the back of the toaster and it will slide out from underneath.
"Some toasters, such as four-slice models, might have more than one tray."
According to the expert, you should be cleaning the toaster regularly, "at least once a week".
Simply pull out the crumb tray from the bottom of your toaster, and then empty them out.
Next, get a damp paper towel or cloth to wipe away any remnants of crumbs. While you're at it you can also give the outside of your toaster a good clean.
It's important to keep our household appliances clean so they can run smoothly and won't pose a safety risk.
Recently an expert shared the importance of cleaning your washing machine to avoid a build up of mould and dirt.
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This is also important so you can get rid of nasty particles and bacteria so they don't deposit on your clothes.