Product Liability: Dangerous Household Appliances

Our household appliances help us in our everyday life – they help us wash the dishes, cook our food, clean our clothes, keep us warm, and keep tidy. But, unfortunately, tens of thousands of household appliances present dangers in our homes each year – some emit harmful poisons like carbon monoxide while others cause fire hazards or electrical hazards.

What are examples of dangerous appliances?

• Washers and Dryers. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, washers and dryers are responsible for 430 serious injuries, 30 deaths, and over 16,000 house fires each year. Dryers can start fires or cause burns if they have defective exhaust ducts or lint collectors. Other washers or dryers can be dangerous to children who may become trapped inside.
• Furnaces. Defective furnaces and other heating units can leak carbon monoxide – a poisonous gas that can cause cognitive problems, heart problems, and death. IN some cases, people are injured because a furnace is not properly maintained by a landlord or building owner. In other cases, a furnace may have a product defect.
• Stoves and ovens. Defective stoves and oven can burn users or emit dangerous carbon monoxide fumes. The CPSC reports that 10,000 people are injured each year by carbon monoxide exposure and 200 die.
• Countertop appliances. Devices like toasters, microwaves, hotplates, slow cookers, can be dangerous and defective. These smaller household devices can be fire hazards or suffer from electrical defects that pose a serious threat to your home.

In addition to the appliances listed above, any number of other objects in your home – such as your refrigerator, gas grill, or dishwasher, may be defective and dangerous. If you believe that you or someone you love has been seriously injured by a defective household appliance in New York, contact a product liability lawyer today to discuss your case.