All throughout America today, millions of homeowners experience a level of comfort and convenience that is unparalleled when compared to previous generations. As technology has advanced, it has allowed home appliance manufacturers to produce cheaper and more effective machines that make home life easier. However, when these appliances malfunction or break, it can lead to a risk of personal injury for the home’s inhabitants. This article will discuss some of the most dangerous appliances inside the standard American home.
Refrigerators
By using a constantly circulating system of liquid and gas coolant that absorbs heat from inside the appliance, refrigerators help keep our food at a safe and dry temperature. This process, however, creates condensation. This condensation is collected in a drip pan below the fridge where it stays until it can evaporate. When a crack or leak exists somewhere in the pan or throughout the system, it can cause water and/or liquid coolant to pool around the appliance, creating a slipping hazard. Also, pooled refrigerant can be a poison hazard to toddlers or pets if ingested.
Like many other appliances in the home, refrigerators rely on electricity to function. When faulty wiring or moisture impacts the proper flow of electricity, it can cause a fire hazard which can lead to serious personal injury risk for inhabitants.
Dishwashers
Dishwashers provide immense value to countless American households by limiting the time it takes to wash and dry dishes. However, various threats of personal injury also exist with these appliances. One example is the close proximity with which dishwashers use water and electricity. When a leaking dishwasher makes contact with the electrical circuitry of the appliance of the home, it can lead to a fire hazard.
Another personal injury risk associated with dishwashers is the potential for inhabitants, including young children, to either cut or otherwise injure themselves on sharp objects while loading the dishwasher. According to a report compiled by the National Institute for Health (NIH), the incidence rate of dishwasher-related injuries is 12.5% for adults and approximately 5% for children.
Clothes Dryers
Clothes dryers can quickly go from convenient to dangerous for a few different reasons. For one, clothes dryers are equipped with an internal thermostat that is responsible for monitoring and regulating the temperature inside the appliance. If this component breaks, the dryer can continue to get hotter and hotter until a fire starts.
Another safety hazard associated with clothes dryers is that the heating element inside a dryer can overheat and eventually leak a scalding hot liquid metal, igniting the clothes inside. Also, the lint that accumulates inside a dryer can catch fire if the lint trap of the appliance is not cleaned on a regular basis.
Getting Professional Legal Counsel
For years, the attorneys at H&P Law have been helping victims of product liability accidents in Las Vegas and throughout Nevada as they fight for fair compensation for their injuries. Contact H&P Law today for insight into your case.
