A tea towel hanging from the handle of an oven or stove may seem like a simple and convenient habit, but it can create an unnecessary safety risk in the kitchen. Because the towel is close to hot surfaces, it can become dangerously warm, especially when the oven or stove is being used for long periods.

The biggest concern is fire. Towels can scorch or ignite if they come into contact with heating elements, burners, or other extremely hot areas. Even if the towel does not catch fire immediately, repeated exposure to heat can damage the fabric and increase the risk of an accident.

There are other reasons to avoid this habit, too. A towel hanging from an oven handle can be within easy reach of young children, who may pull on it and potentially cause something hot to fall. It can also interfere with the oven seal if positioned incorrectly, while damp towels bunched against warm surfaces can create an environment where bacteria multiply more easily.

Instead of leaving kitchen towels on the oven or stove handle, choose a safer storage spot away from heat. Keep towels clean, dry, and within easy reach when needed, but far enough from burners and heating elements to prevent accidental contact.

A small change in where you keep your tea towels can make the kitchen safer. As the original article puts it, “For a safer kitchen, keep towels away from heat sources and store them in a clean, dry, easily accessible spot.”