lodgers and cooking on the landing

sheramber

My microwave sparked , followed by flames from the interior light.

WIAWSNB

sheramber said:

My microwave sparked , followed by flames from the interior light.

It surely didn't 'go on fire', tho'? 

But, fair point. 

sheramber

WIAWSNB said:

sheramber said:

My microwave sparked , followed by flames from the interior light.

It surely didn't 'go on fire', tho'? 

But, fair point. 

What would you call flames stretching across inside the microwave if not ‘going on firs’. 

WIAWSNB

Oh dearie me.

travelodger

markin said:

travelodger said:

Thanks everyone for your intelligent and considered replies. I genuinely appreciate this discussion and your input because this is a matter of life and death and I now feel slightly ashamed of not "keeping my eye on the ball" in regard to what I now shrink at calling the "kitchenette" - what else can I call it, if I don't want to mislead by using a word that suggests cooking may be carried out there?

"Drinks prep area" won't cut it because there are a lot of meals one can make without cooking: salads, sandwiches, pre-packaged supermarket egg mayo, cold pasta salads, pre-cooked chicken, deli foods, etc, and hot things made with a kettle such as Cup-a-Soups and Pot Noodles. My main concern is that nothing is cooked there which will be left unattended.

I'm really worried about the microwave now!!! Quite a few of you have stated that it's not safe. There has been one up there for 25 years (not the same one, obviously!) without incident, but that does not mean there will never be an incident. Yet it feels really mean to take the microwave away. I could insert a clause in the House Rules reminding lodgers that no metal objects or tin foil are to be put inside it, and that it must be kept clean because of the risk of fire. 

I am nearly 70 and have been using microwave ovens for decades. I have never heard of or read about one catching fire.

Yes, there is a smoke detector on the ceiling. And a BCF fire extinguisher. I could also buy a fire blanket and have that screwed to the wall next to the microwave. I do wonder though, if lodgers, when faced with a fire and engulfed in a mad panic, will have the presence of mind to actually USE a fire blanket or an extinguisher. I could mention them in the House Rules and ask that lodgers familiarise themselves on how to use them (watch a YouTube video, perhaps?)

So, to recap, the air fryer, toaster and hob are to go, the kettle and fridge remain, but we are undecided about the microwave.

 

At 70 is it not time to sell up and buy a smaller house now and enjoy peace and quiet in your own home?

If they eat in their rooms its not like they are even good company.

Also Add to any agreement they are not to charge E-bike, Or Scooters in the house.

You may want to actually remove the power sockets so only the MW and fridge can be plugged in.

Also just spotted that the Socket may be to close to the sink, Is it RCD protected?

Markin, why do you assume my main goal must be to get "peace and quiet"? As it happens you could not be more wrong. I love having lodgers in my house and would be miserable and lonely if I were not able to interact with my housemates several times a day, as I do. It's the main reason I have lodgers, in fact. We don't sit down and eat meals together but we have many conversations, short and long, and lots of laughs. We are all good friends and do favours for each other literally on a daily basis. 

I find your assumptions about what kind of home life a woman must want, based solely on her age, truly offensive. 

WIAWSNB

Ooh, a bit harsh?

Section62

travelodger said:

markin said:

travelodger said:

 

At 70 is it not time to sell up and buy a smaller house now and enjoy peace and quiet in your own home?

If they eat in their rooms its not like they are even good company.

Also Add to any agreement they are not to charge E-bike, Or Scooters in the house.

You may want to actually remove the power sockets so only the MW and fridge can be plugged in.

Also just spotted that the Socket may be to close to the sink, Is it RCD protected?

Markin, why do you assume my main goal must be to get "peace and quiet"? As it happens you could not be more wrong. I love having lodgers in my house and would be miserable and lonely if I were not able to interact with my housemates several times a day, as I do. It's the main reason I have lodgers, in fact. We don't sit down and eat meals together but we have many conversations, short and long, and lots of laughs. We are all good friends and do favours for each other literally on a daily basis. 

I find your assumptions about what kind of home life a woman must want, based solely on her age, truly offensive. 

To be fair to markin, you did say the below earlier in the thread. A "complete rethink" as "a disabled and decrepit old pensioner" might reasonably lead someone to wonder whether you yourself feel it is time for a change?

travelodger said:

...
I need to have a complete re-think. Particularly as 25 years ago I was a young, fit woman who was trained (by a former employer) in the use of fire extinguishers and could race up the stairs if need be. I am now a disabled and decrepit old pensioner who gets to the top floor at the pace of a particularly lazy snail.

WIAWSNB

Ooh, a bit harsh?

travelodger

Section62 said:

travelodger said:

markin said:

travelodger said:

 

At 70 is it not time to sell up and buy a smaller house now and enjoy peace and quiet in your own home?

If they eat in their rooms its not like they are even good company.

Also Add to any agreement they are not to charge E-bike, Or Scooters in the house.

You may want to actually remove the power sockets so only the MW and fridge can be plugged in.

Also just spotted that the Socket may be to close to the sink, Is it RCD protected?

Markin, why do you assume my main goal must be to get "peace and quiet"? As it happens you could not be more wrong. I love having lodgers in my house and would be miserable and lonely if I were not able to interact with my housemates several times a day, as I do. It's the main reason I have lodgers, in fact. We don't sit down and eat meals together but we have many conversations, short and long, and lots of laughs. We are all good friends and do favours for each other literally on a daily basis. 

I find your assumptions about what kind of home life a woman must want, based solely on her age, truly offensive. 

To be fair to markin, you did say the below earlier in the thread. A "complete rethink" as "a disabled and decrepit old pensioner" might reasonably lead someone to wonder whether you yourself feel it is time for a change?

travelodger said:

...
I need to have a complete re-think. Particularly as 25 years ago I was a young, fit woman who was trained (by a former employer) in the use of fire extinguishers and could race up the stairs if need be. I am now a disabled and decrepit old pensioner who gets to the top floor at the pace of a particularly lazy snail.

They are two completely different things! Disability prevents me climbing to the top floor. Why would anyone twist that into assuming that means I want to live on my own with no young lively, chatty lodgers for company?

Anyway, this is all sorted. The lodger who created the unsafe setup has moved out, the others have been suitably admonished and told that no similar unsafe situation will be tolerated, new fire extinguishers, fire blankets and smoke alarms have been fitted in prominent places, new house rules written, etc.

So there is no need for anyone to post sexist or age-ist comments about how I "ought" to be living at my age.

WIAWSNB

Travelodger, I took your self-effacing comments as engagingly droll, which pleased me much. But I think Markin's comment was equally well-intentioned - I see no twisting.

Pleased it's been sorted as you hoped - MSE's forum roooools.