Safety Precautions to be Observed in Doing Laundry

Observing safety precautions while doing laundry is important for several reasons. Neglecting these safety measures can lead to serious consequences, ranging from damage to serious accidents.

Let’s take a look at some of the safety precautions to follow while doing laundry. By following these, individuals can safeguard themselves from accidents and also maintain a secure laundry room environment.

Laundry Room Safety Hazards and Precautions

Since most of us have a laundry room setup to wash our clothes, it is important to understand the safety hazards present in the room. From potential fire threats to accidents involving chemicals and machinery, the laundry room poses several risks that should not be ignored.

Fire hazards

Generally, fire hazards in a laundry room can be caused due to lint buildup, overloading of electrical outlets, and poor maintenance of the dryer.

Lint Buildup

The accumulation of lint in dryer vents is one of the most common causes of laundry room fires. To avoid this, clean your lint trap after every washing and drying cycle. Thoroughly inspect and clean the vent system regularly.

Overloading Electrical Outlets

Overloading electrical outlets in the laundry room may happen casually. You may insert washers and dryers in the same outlet which may cause an overloading. 

Therefore, avoid overloading electrical outlets by refraining from plugging several appliances into one socket. 

To add more protection against electrical fires, ensure your laundry room has proper grounding and a fault circuit interrupter in the outlets. Also, use a surge protector to the washing machine and dryer to protect the appliance as well.

Poor Dryer maintenance

Since dryers involve heating and blowing hot air to dry the clothes, having lints in the duct and vents has the potential to start a fire. 

Therefore, make sure to keep your dryer clean. Ensure that the exhaust duct and vent are free from lint buildup. You can also hire a professional for routine maintenance on your dryer.

Chemical Hazards

Laundry involves chemicals like detergents, bleach, fabric softeners, stain removers, etc. These chemicals are toxic and it is a must to handle and store them carefully. 

Detergent and Bleach

Laundry detergents and bleaches are harmful to the touch and it is toxic. Children should be kept away from these harmful chemicals. There are different types of detergents and all of them are potentially hazardous. 

Therefore, store the detergents in non-reachable places, preferably in locked cabinets. Also, do not mix different cleaning chemicals because the chemical reaction may produce toxic fumes.

Fabric softeners

The chemicals in the fabric softeners have the potential to irritate the skin and respiratory system. 

So, it is a must to use them carefully and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Always use the appropriate quantity to avoid strong odors from the softeners. You can also use natural alternatives like white vinegar for better outcomes.

Stain removers

Stain removers should be handled carefully because they contain harsh alkalines. The strong alkalines will cause skin burns and irritations. Therefore, wear safety gloves when handling them, and keep them out of children’s reach.

Slip and Fall hazards

You may different types of laundry products that are liquid in nature like liquid detergents, bleaches, and softeners. These liquids are smooth and accidentals spills can make you slip. Since this may lead to injuries it is a must to handle them carefully.

Spills

Detergent or water spills in the laundry room can make the ground more slippery. To avoid this, clean up any spills immediately and use absorbent mats or rugs. Also, always leave the laundry room door closed to avoid children entering the room.

Cords and wires

Sometimes if you have a messy wire connection, you may stumble upon them and fall on the ground. Therefore, make sure that every cord and wire is properly secured and kept out of the pathways. Also, try to manage the cables and cords behind the washing machine and dryer to clear the mess.

Safety of the Appliances Used in Laundry Room

Appliances used in the laundry room like the washer or dryer must be properly placed and should be operated safely.

Placement of the machines

Make sure your washing machine and dryer are properly installed to prevent them from toppling during the operation. Always hire a professional for installation and they will follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for installation and maintenance.

Check the door latches

Since washers use water, it is obligatory to check the washer door and water valves periodically to avoid overflow of water. 
To avoid water leaks and overflows, the washing machine door latches must be properly inspected and maintained. If they are faulty, replace the washer door lock with new ones immediately.

Safety Measures to Observe During Hazardous Event in Laundry Room

In case you encountered some of the above mentioned hazards in the laundry room, here are some measures you can take until you get the professional help or any assistance. Remember to seek professional help as soon as you find any serious hazards and you can follow these measures to safeguard yourself.

Fire

• If a fire occurs, evacuate immediately and call the fire department.
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and ensure it’s suitable for electrical fires.
• Do not use water to extinguish an electrical fire.
• You may try to close the doors and windows tightly to avoid oxygen supply into the laundry room. Only attempt this if you feel safe enough to do it.

Flood

• In the event of a flooding, don’t enter the laundry room.
• Turn off the water and power supply from the mains. This will stop the powering up the machine and prevents further flooding and electrical hazards.
• Do not step into standing water where electrical appliances are present due to the risk of electrocution.

Chemical Spill

• If detergent or bleach is spilled, ventilate the area and clean up the spill with protective gloves and eye protection.
• If the detergent spilled over you, immediately wash it with running water and seek medical assistance.
• If bleach got into your eyes, flush it with water and seek medical assistance right away.

Electrical Shock

• Do not attempt to touch or unplug any appliance if you suspect an electrical shock hazard.
• Cut the power from the circuit breaker and call a professional.
• If you don’t feel safe to do any of the measures simply call a professional and wait till you get assistance.

Injury

• Do not panic. Assess the situation and try to seek help.
• Keep a first aid kit in the laundry room for minor injuries.
• For serious injuries, seek immediate medical assistance.

Power Outage

• Do not open the washer during a power outage; the locking mechanism could be engaged.
• Wait for power to be restored before attempting to remove laundry.
• In case of emergencies you can try to bypass the lid switch or door switch of your washer.

Washing Machine Safety Precautions

Observing safety precautions and handling the washing machine in the proper manner will protect you from many potential hazards. Here are some simple steps you can follow to operate the washing machine safely and prevent yourself from the hazards of the appliance.

• Read the manual: Before using your washing machine, read the user manual carefully. Each machine is different, and it is important to understand its specific features and requirements. This will allow you to operate it safely and effectively.

• Check the pockets before loading: Always check the pockets for items like coins or keys that can damage the washing drum.

• Avoid Overloading: Overloading the machine can bring damage to both clothes and the machine. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for load capacity. 

• Measure Detergent before using: Too much detergent can result in excessive suds which may spill out of the washer and cause you to slip. Therefore use measured quantities according to the load.

• Child and Pet Safety: Keep kids and pets away from the machine. Especially when the machine is running keep the laundry room secured and don’t let them enter it.

• Use Control Lock: Turning on your control lock can prevent children from accidentally operating the washing machine. Therefore always use the control lock feature in your washer 

• Check Plugs and Cords: To prevent electrical accidents, always check the integrity of plugs and cords connected to the appliance. Also, unplug the machine when it is not in use.

• Supervise the washing machine: Occasionally supervise the washer and laundry room while the washing takes place. This can enable you to prevent any potential hazards from occuring beforehand. 

• Immediate Troubleshootings: If you notice any strange sounds, vibrations, or leaks, stop the cycle and investigate the issue. Try to resolve the issue immediately. 

• Regular Maintenance: Maintain the washer regularly to avoid any major hazards to occur with the appliance.

Conclusion

It is essential to take safety precautions when doing laundry to ensure a hazard-free and efficient washing experience. By following these guidelines, you can protect yourself from potential accidents and damage that may occur in a laundry room or with the washing machine.