It’s a great time to inspect your oven and ensure that it is clean and ready for cooking your holiday meals. Using the self-cleaning feature on your oven may help avoid toxic fumes associated with oven cleaners; but in some instances the self-cleaning oven feature can be just as dangerous.

Self-cleaning ovens can get extremely hot, reaching temperature of 700-900 degrees Fahrenheit and may produce carbon monoxide during the cleaning cycle. The extreme heat may also may cause damage to your oven internal parts over time.

If you’re still considering using your self-cleaning oven, please read your oven’s manual thoroughly and review the list of safety precautions. This may include:

• Remove all racks, pans and crusted food debris.
• Remove everything away from the oven top to include the countertop area.
• Do not leave oven unattended.
• Have a fire extinguisher nearby.
• Open a window to allow ventilation if needed.

The Gallup Fire Department recommends scrubbing and wiping your oven with environmentally safe cleaning products that do not contain harmful chemicals or fumes. Once your stove is clean and ready for cooking; click on additional information to review cooking safety tips provided by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).