Hidden Dangers of Front-Loading Washing Machines

TEXAS. A Colorado family’s terrifying story has gone viral. Just a few days after the family purchased a front-loading washing machine, their three-year old child got trapped inside the machine. According to Woman’s Day, the mother ran to where the washing machine was kept and found her daughter tumbling around inside the locked machine. Fortunately, the mother realized what was happening fast enough and she was able to stop the machine and rescue her daughter from the chamber that was filling with water. The child made it out of the ordeal with only bruises and scrapes.

Front loading washing machines are large enough that small children and pets can fit inside them. Individuals who purchase these machines may not always be aware of the risks that they pose.

The washing machines come with settings to prevent children from using them when they are not supervised, but the family claims that they had just purchased the machines and didn’t realize that such safety mechanisms were available. It isn’t clear whether the company that makes the machines makes the feature prominently visible.

The woman’s story went viral with many parents noting that they didn’t realize the machine could pose this danger to their children.

The manufacturer of the machine has released a statement saying that it would try harder to make parents more aware of the child safety feature of its machines.

According to 11alive, the family plans to return the front loading machine for a top loader.

This isn’t the first time front-loading washers have claimed lives. According to Woman’s Day, a child in California died after she crawled into one of the machines and her brother started it. Children are not the only ones at risk. Pets can crawl into front-loading machines. If people aren’t aware or don’t check the machine before they turn them on, their pets can die. To make matters worse, the machines can be air-tight, so people won’t always be able to hear their pet or their child screaming for help if they are caught inside.

As a general rule, pets and children shouldn’t be allowed in home laundry rooms. If your washing machine is in a place where children can access it, you may want to make sure you use the child setting and consider purchasing an additional door lock.

The Cooper Law Firm are personal injury lawyers in Texas who see cases where products have sometimes failed to warn users of potential hazards. It appears that a tragedy was narrowly avoided in the case of the washing machine. But when it comes to other appliances, sometimes families and companies learn about the dangers their products pose too late. If you or a loved one was hurt due to a product defect or because a product failed to warn you about potential risks and dangers, you may have certain rights under the law. Visit our firm at https://www.cooper-law-firm.com/texas-personal-injury-law/ to learn more about your rights today.

Cooper Law Firm
501 N Third St,
Longview, TX 75601
Telephone: (903) 297-0037