Abstract: A microwave oven includes a housing formed by relatively separable first and second panels. Electric switches are mounted on the first panel and are connected to respective wires of the power cord by the oven. Each switch includes a movable contact which moves away from a respective fixed contact when the panels are separated from one another, in order to automatically cut off the supply of electric power to the oven in the event that the worker forgets to unplug the power cord. When the panels are reconnected, the switches are automatically closed. Such automatic closing can be caused by magnetic force produced by magnets carried by the second panel. Alternatively, the automatic closing can be caused by screws carried by the second housing and which physically push respective movable contacts against their associated fixed contacts.