Safety reminder regarding front-loading washers: **Sad story warning**

[MegaDisney]

This story just gives me chills. We got rid of our front-loader because I hated it, but when we had it I would routinely leave the door open because that is what the manufacturer recommended we do to help get rid of the musty smell. I can't believe I did that with 3 little ones in the house!!

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/inside-old-machine-2297979-mother-kayley

 

[shelly3girls]

What I do not understand is how the little brother shut the washer. Ours requires quite a bit of force to shut the door and it is impossible to shut from the inside. This is clearly a tragedy but it just doesn't make sense to me.

 

[MegaDisney]

Shelly, I have to say I think it varies from brand to brand. We had a Bosch, and let me tell you the door was very easy to close. One small push and it basically shut on it's own. That being said, there is a lot of talk about this incident and how it could happen. Mainly, how long were the kids unattended before someone realized what had happened?

 

[bumbershoot]

Mainly, how long were the kids unattended before someone realized what had happened?

The first article I saw about it says that she was only in there for 2 minutes...that could have been mom taking a bathroom break, ya know?


That 20" thing was bugging me, b/c our front-loader has buttons way up on the top of it, so I went looking. And was surprised to find many front loaders that are basically boxes with the controls right above the door. Wow.

 

[all4fun]

I saw that story yesterday. It's just so sad. We have a front loader too, and you have to hold the button down for about 5 seconds before the door will lock. I always wondered why it was designed that way, but maybe it was to help prevent something like that from happening? Ours is a kenmore brand, wouldn't recommend it but that's totally unrelated to this.

 

[Keira1387]

That is so awful.

 

[PoohHappens]

OK I have an kenmore which is what this washer was reported to be. Mine however does have the lockout. Even without the lockout you have to push and hold down the button on the machine for it to start and this only after selecting a cycle. The door is also difficult to close. Now I feel this is very very tragic and I feel for the family, I cannot imagine loosing a child. I am having trouble figuring out how this happened. I know models are different so that could have something to do with it. However I cannot imagine a 15month old not being observed. I am sorry that I feel this way, and I am quite aware accidents happen, I have had a scare with my own child. But the door makes noise when it is closed, you can hear the water kick on and the machine start up. They lived in an apartment. I cannot imagine not hearing that and being 2 minutes from stopping it. At the same time I cannot imagine the grief and possible guilt the family must feel.

 

[MegaDisney]

The first article I saw about it says that she was only in there for 2 minutes...that could have been mom taking a bathroom break, ya know?


That 20" thing was bugging me, b/c our front-loader has buttons way up on the top of it, so I went looking. And was surprised to find many front loaders that are basically boxes with the controls right above the door. Wow.

I've read that some models are designed this way, with the buttons on the front, so that the washers and dryers can be stackable.

 

[seashoreCM]

Could you rig up a stout rope with one end tied around one of the feet of the machine and the other end attached to a child resistant clasp that clips onto something inside such as a rib behind the lint screen? This would keep the door from closing and perhaps also remind you to clean the lint screen before every wash load.