Do you leave your dishwasher running unattended?

[ailsagirl]

DON'T

We had some neighbors years ago who had set the dishwasher to run while they were asleep and
a major fire ensued. The worst part was that two people died, one of them a child.

Repeat:

DON'T EVER LEAVE YOUR DISHWASHER RUNNING UNATTENDED

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/fire-safety-tip-dont-leave-you-134393

[The Second Stone]

1. All the time.

But I do have a dozen smoke detectors and four carbon monoxide detectors in the house.

[ailsagirl]

4. Do you leave the house with it running?

I've been tempted but now that I know how dangerous it is, I'll never do that.

[The Second Stone]

5. I will leave the clothes washing machine going when I leave the house

but nothing else.

[moobu2]

2. I never leave appliances running when I leave the house.

My dogs are usually home and i'm to concerned about something like a fire.

Weird true story. My next door neighbor called me at work a few years ago. When I said hello he said "Hey, the entire back of your house is on fire!!". well, I completely pancaked to say the least and all I could see is my dogs being trapped. I was just about to say go over and kick my door in when he said he was joking and went on to tell me whatever it was he called me for. It was an awful joke to pull. Why would somebody do something like that? Well, less than a year later a fire broke out in his house and killed him and his adult son. My neighbor that called me that day was trapped by the fire and his son went in to try to get him and they both died.

[ailsagirl]

3. That's terrible-- really awful

Sad and scary.

[gvstn]

7. That is truly awful.

What a terrible way to die.

[clarice]

6. My god, how terrible *sniff* nt

[2theleft]

8. I didn't know they could start a fire, but I don't leave mine on...

I used to, but it broke and flooded one day. Now that I read that, I will never even consider it.

[pinboy3niner]

13. Flooding can also happen if something falls into the sink and blocks the drain

I was home and caught it when it happened before it got too bad. Apparently the dishwasher vibrations caused something to fall into the sink where the dishwasher empties, blocking the drain. I noticed as soon as the water started flooding out of the sink onto the floor.

[NewJeffCT]

9. If I didn't run my dishwasher when I wasn't home or overnight

the dishes would never get done. I usually don't have enough time during the day to do laundry and dishes.

The places I've lived in the past 11-12 years have all been new, or newer, homes, though, and with new/newer appliances, and usually newer safety features in modern appliances and kitchens are pretty good overall.

Sorry to hear about your neighbors. That's a tragedy.

[frogmarch]

10. I never do and

never have.

Thanks for posting this. I just finished posting the article on Facebook.

[ailsagirl]

14. Good for you

It's one of those things that people ought to be aware of.

[bigwillq]

11. No

I never leave any of my appliances unattended. Well, besides the fridge, but I kind of have to.

My sister's friend's Mom did that with the dryer and the house burnt to the ground. They lost everything. Luckily everyone made it out.

[ailsagirl]

15. That's terrible

I'm glad there were no fatalities but still-- it's got to be awful losing everything.

[oldandhappy]

12. oops, blush, never again, smile

[dilby]

16. That is terrible but awfully rare.

You would probably have the same chance of a refrigerator causing an electrical fire and I don't think anyone would say don't leave your home if your refrigerator is running.

[pinboy3niner]

17. When my dishwasher or fridge is running I call Appliance Control to come out with their BIG nets

No appliance gets the best of me!

[CBGLuthier]

18. Every time and every day

I figure she can do them fine without me.



In 2 weeks we will have been married 30 years and we have never owned a dishwashing machine.

When she worked and I didn't I did all the dishes. Now I work and she doesn't so it's her turn.

[pinboy3niner]

19. Advance wishes for a Happy Anniversary!

I rarely use the dishwasher because it does such a crappy job compared to me.

And I just had a flashback of me explaining to my young son why we also wash the bottom of the plates.

[CBGLuthier]

20. Thanks.

It will be our first anniversary with none of our usual family around to share it. Just my wife's sister and a few friends we have made since moving.

[underahedgerow]

21. Unless you've had recent electrical work done, are running incredibly old and faulty machines

of any sort, have had repairs to said machines or have an appliance plugged into an extension cord or one of those multi-outlet things, chances of a fire a very slim.

Use only qualified electrical contractors. Never, ever, ever, ever plug a space heater with an extension cord or multi-outlet... They are a major cause of fires; aside from cigarettes, kids playing with fire and candles.

When doing any upgrades or new builds including electric work, make sure your contractor is installing each receptacle and light switch in a small fire proof box. They save lives and cost pennies.

That being said, keep your insurance up to date as well.

[pinboy3niner]

22. In elementary school in the '60s we got extra credit for surveying our neighbors' electrical safety

We'd go into their homes looking for things like octopuses and cords under rugs and other hazards on our checklist. That program using little kids probably actually saved lives.

Thanks for prompting the flashback!