Parenting tips for keeping your kids safe around home appliances: part 1
Having children in the home is a joy, but it can also bring some challenges. Keeping them safe is a top priority for any parent, and that means keeping young ones away from certain appliances, including the dishwasher. Parents should be aware of why leaving their young children around the dishwasher can be a risk to their safety and thorough understanding of dishwasher safety basics. In this article, we’ll explain why parents should avoid leaving their children unsupervised around dishwashers, provide tips for arming children with dishwasher safety knowledge, and conclude with a final word of caution.
Reasons for Parents to Avoid Leaving Children Unsupervised Around Dishwashers
Young children may be curious about the dishwasher, especially when it’s running, but parents should make sure to keep them away from it. The dishwasher can seem like a fascinating machine that produces results, but leaving children unsupervised around it can be dangerous.
A. Young Children May Interrupt Important Dishwasher Operations: Most children don’t know the importance of certain dishwasher operations, such as pre-rinsing dishes before they go into the machine. This step is important in order to avoid clogs that could damage the dishwasher, and the age of a child often prevents them from comprehending this logical step. Additionally, children often make the mistake of pushing or pulling the wrong buttons, effectively interrupting a dishwashing cycle and resulting in dishes that aren't cleaned.
B. Larger Safety Concerns Aside From Simply Interrupting Dishwasher Operations… Leaving young children unattended around the dishwasher also puts them at risk for more severe injuries. Depending on the appliance, older dishwashers may have hot surfaces that can burn curious fingers, since most dishwashers run hot cycles for optimal cleaning results. Additionally, the lid of a dishwasher typically has sharp edges that can harm children, and some models may even have exposed electrical wires for connecting them to an outlet. All of these scenarios present risks to young children’s safety.
Tips for Parents on Arming their Children with Dishwasher Safety Knowledge
The best way to mitigate the risks associated with having young children near dishwashers is to equip them with knowledge about how to be safe around them.
A. Explain Basic Dishwasher Operations: It’s important to explain to children the importance of pre-rinsing dishes and the consequences of pushing the wrong buttons or opening the lid when the dishwasher is running. It’s always a good idea to ensure that children know when the dishwasher is “off” and “on” by labeling the buttons.
B. Remind Children to Stay Clear of Hot Surfaces: Since some models have hot surfaces, it’s essential to remind children to keep their hands away from any hot areas of the appliance. It’s also important to teach children that the dishwasher should only be touched after it has been shut off.
C. Reinforce That Dishwasher Cleaning is for Adults-Only: Finally, it’s important to reinforce with children that only adults should clean the dishwasher. Explain to them why it’s important that adults assume that task, as it’s a risky operation that requires caution and experience. Conclusion
Ultimately, Parents should take all the proper steps to protect their young children when it comes to the dishwasher. Explain the basics of dishwasher operation, remind children to stay clear of hot surfaces, and reinforce that dishwasher cleaning is adults-only. By following these tips, parents can enjoy having young children in the home while still making sure they are safe. As always, parents should be aware of the risks associated with leaving children unsupervised near dishwashers, as well as any other appliance.
At Gold Star Appliance Repair, we take pride in that our technicians have extensive knowledge of the inner workings of appliances. That means we don’t only know how to fix and repair dishwashers, laundry machines, microwaves etc… we also know the ins and outs of how to keep your appliances running in great condition and the different strategies you can implement to keep the members of your family safe from any potentially harm resulting from improper use. If you’re dealing with an appliance issue, have a question about maintenance, or would like to consult with our team about any appliance related matter, give us a call today. If you’re ready to book your service appointment and would like a Gold Star Appliance Repair technician to tend to your appliance issue as soon as possible, book your service appointment now, online!