It starts out as a harmless habit — you’re cooking, things get busy, and without thinking, you drape a tea towel over your oven door handle. It feels convenient, right within reach when spills happen. I used to do it too, until one small incident made me realize just how risky that habit really is. When the oven heats up, that towel hanging across the door also begins to warm. Fabric plus consistent heat is never a safe combination.

It may not ignite right away, but it easily can. All it takes is stepping away — answering a phone call or folding laundry — for a towel to overheat or smolder. A friend of mine once left a damp towel hanging while baking cookies. When she came back, it was scorched and stuck to the handle. Thankfully, no fire started, but the outcome could have been much worse. Beyond the fire hazard, a towel hanging on the oven door can interfere with the oven’s seal, allowing heat to escape and causing uneven cooking results.

That small gap can mean the difference between a perfectly roasted dish and one side left underdone. I once couldn’t figure out why my roasted potatoes cooked unevenly — until I realized the towel on the door was to blame. The risk is even greater in homes with children or pets. A toddler tugging at a towel could accidentally open a hot oven door, and curious pets might do the same. One playful pull could lead to burns, broken dishes, or a dangerous spill.

The safest solution is simple: hang towels on a wall hook, drawer handle, or towel rack instead. If you prefer to keep one nearby, choose an apron with a towel loop for easy access. Small adjustments like these can make a big difference — preventing fires, avoiding accidents, and keeping your kitchen both safe and efficient. Sometimes, the smallest habits are the ones that matter most.