Man’s routine dinner turns into a psychological nightmare: 'It was terrifying'
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Disclaimer: This article contains graphic images of injuries. Reader discretion is advised.
Air fryers have become the darling of Aussie kitchens.
These devices promise crispy chips and golden sausages with a fraction of the oil and effort.
However, one man’s harrowing experience should be a reminder that even the most trusted appliances could cause more harm than good.
Blackpool local Jonty Benjamin thought he was in for a relaxing evening.
Like many, he had embraced the air fryer revolution.
He used his Tower Housewares Air Fryer to whip up a quick roast dinner.
The 52-year-old bloke made sure to turn off and unplug the device after use as a habit.
Just as he sat down to enjoy his meal, a strange smell wafted into his living room.
Within minutes, Jonty’s kitchen was filled with smoke.
To his horror, the air fryer he unplugged was fully alight.
As he rushed to contain the flames, Jonty managed to prevent a full-blown house fire.
However, he suffered severe burns while putting the flames out.
‘It was the adrenaline that initially made it painless,’ Jonty recalled.
‘But when I saw my arm, I got such a shock.’
‘It was terrifying. It took me a minute or two to control the flames, but by that point, my arm was completely burnt,’ he continued.
Molten plastic fused to the skin on his right arm and left him with third-degree burns.
Despite the severity of his injuries, Jonty waited for five days before seeking medical help.
He went to Preston Royal Hospital’s skin trauma clinic after experiencing unbearable pain.
Doctors confirmed that he had deep burns, nerve damage and skin grafts.
Surgeons removed a chunk of skin from his leg to cover the wounds on his arm.
He also has to go through further rounds of plastic surgery.
Other than the physical injuries, Jonty’s psychological scars have been just as profound.
He shared that he has not cooked anything since the incident.
The sound of distant fire alarms also triggered his anxiety.
‘I have an oven, microwave, and grill all-in-one at home, but I don’t even want to use that now,’ he admitted.
Jonty’s air fryer was part of a batch that Tower Housewares recalled back in April due to a risk of overheating and fire.
However, the recall notice came two weeks after his accident.
The company has since launched an investigation and reached out to Jonty for a resolution.
‘At Tower, the safety and well-being of our customers is of paramount importance,’ a spokesperson for Tower Housewares stated.
‘All of our products are subject to rigorous safety and testing procedures, which our dedicated quality assurance team constantly monitor to ensure they meet the highest standards.’
‘The customer has made contact with our team, and we are working with him directly to understand the cause of this incident.’
Air fryers have exploded in popularity over the recent years, especially towards Aussies who appreciate convenience.
Yet, as with any new technology, there could be teething problems.
Product recalls are not uncommon, and it’s important to stay informed.
Jonty’s story was proof that despite following safety measures, things could still go wrong at home.
While air fryers are generally safe, manufacturing faults and electrical issues could still pose real risks.
The key is to stay vigilant, follow safety advice, and keep an eye out for any official warnings.
Have you ever had a close call with a kitchen appliance? Do you have any kitchen safety tips to share with fellow members? We would love to read your stories and advice in the comments section.
Air fryers have become the darling of Aussie kitchens.
These devices promise crispy chips and golden sausages with a fraction of the oil and effort.
However, one man’s harrowing experience should be a reminder that even the most trusted appliances could cause more harm than good.
Blackpool local Jonty Benjamin thought he was in for a relaxing evening.
Like many, he had embraced the air fryer revolution.
He used his Tower Housewares Air Fryer to whip up a quick roast dinner.
The 52-year-old bloke made sure to turn off and unplug the device after use as a habit.
Just as he sat down to enjoy his meal, a strange smell wafted into his living room.
Within minutes, Jonty’s kitchen was filled with smoke.
To his horror, the air fryer he unplugged was fully alight.
As he rushed to contain the flames, Jonty managed to prevent a full-blown house fire.
However, he suffered severe burns while putting the flames out.
‘It was the adrenaline that initially made it painless,’ Jonty recalled.
‘But when I saw my arm, I got such a shock.’
‘It was terrifying. It took me a minute or two to control the flames, but by that point, my arm was completely burnt,’ he continued.
Molten plastic fused to the skin on his right arm and left him with third-degree burns.
Despite the severity of his injuries, Jonty waited for five days before seeking medical help.
The 52-year-old man suffered nerve damage from the incident. Image Credit: Jonty Benjamin
He went to Preston Royal Hospital’s skin trauma clinic after experiencing unbearable pain.
Doctors confirmed that he had deep burns, nerve damage and skin grafts.
Surgeons removed a chunk of skin from his leg to cover the wounds on his arm.
He also has to go through further rounds of plastic surgery.
Other than the physical injuries, Jonty’s psychological scars have been just as profound.
He shared that he has not cooked anything since the incident.
The sound of distant fire alarms also triggered his anxiety.
‘I have an oven, microwave, and grill all-in-one at home, but I don’t even want to use that now,’ he admitted.
Jonty’s air fryer was part of a batch that Tower Housewares recalled back in April due to a risk of overheating and fire.
The air fryer overheated despite being unplugged. Image Credit: Jonty Benjamin
However, the recall notice came two weeks after his accident.
The company has since launched an investigation and reached out to Jonty for a resolution.
‘At Tower, the safety and well-being of our customers is of paramount importance,’ a spokesperson for Tower Housewares stated.
‘All of our products are subject to rigorous safety and testing procedures, which our dedicated quality assurance team constantly monitor to ensure they meet the highest standards.’
‘The customer has made contact with our team, and we are working with him directly to understand the cause of this incident.’
Air fryers have exploded in popularity over the recent years, especially towards Aussies who appreciate convenience.
Yet, as with any new technology, there could be teething problems.
Product recalls are not uncommon, and it’s important to stay informed.
Jonty’s story was proof that despite following safety measures, things could still go wrong at home.
While air fryers are generally safe, manufacturing faults and electrical issues could still pose real risks.
The key is to stay vigilant, follow safety advice, and keep an eye out for any official warnings.
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