Children Hurt in Washing Machines

According to information posted at the American Academy of Family Physicians web site, 19,109 washing machine injuries were reported between 1993 and 2000 in children under age 15. That’s a lot of injuries! I would suspect that many are related to falling injuries – where children are placed on a washer while a parent is loading the dryer. However, I can attest to the power of an agitator – it will break your arm if you stick it in there. The spin cycle on most top loaders runs at about 350 rpm – that too will break bones rather easily. Most washers have safety devices that stop the unit from operating during wash and spin cycles but still the danger is there.