A mother recently shared a harrowing experience involving her little girl and their new front-loading washing machine, serving as a vital warning for parents everywhere. Kelly Thompson took to Facebook to recount this alarming incident that unfolded while the family was still asleep.
Thompson, who had just replaced their old washer, expressed her initial reluctance to share the story due to the fear of online criticism and the difficulty of reliving the moment. She explains that they had told their children not to touch the new machine, a standard precaution every parent would take.
But as many parents know, telling kids to stay away often leads to curiosity. “In the early hours of Tuesday morning, we were awakened by our four-year-old son, who was crying so hard he could barely get the words out,” she recalls. “While I was trying to figure out what was wrong, my husband dashed downstairs. That’s when it hit me. He said: ‘Lila. Inside. Washer.’”
Rushing to the laundry area in a panic, Thompson and her husband discovered that their three-year-old daughter, Lila, was indeed LOCKED inside the washing machine, the drum spinning and filling with water as she screamed for help, her cries unheard.
It’s a terrifying scenario that most would never imagine possible. Thankfully, Thompson and her husband managed to stop the machine, unlock the door, and rescue their daughter, who emerged with only a few bumps and damp clothes.
“I’m sharing this story because we genuinely didn’t grasp the danger posed by this new appliance,” she writes. “Every day, our kids find new and inventive ways to get into trouble, and this was definitely one of the most alarming.”
In her post, Thompson included a photo showing how they have since secured the washer door with a child safety lock. After learning more about their appliance—which they had only owned for a few hours—they discovered a child lock feature that prevents operation when engaged. “We hadn’t even used the washer yet and didn’t check the settings,” she adds. “It took the curiosity of both kids to make this happen. I urge anyone with a similar front-loading machine and small children to secure the door with a safety lock and always have the child lock feature activated!”
Thompson is not concerned about receiving harsh judgments from other parents, even though she understands the potential for it. She emphasizes the importance of sharing such experiences to help others avoid similar accidents. “I know there were ways we could’ve prevented this, yet accidents happen. This is a season filled with swimming pool mishaps and children left in hot cars—most incidents are just that: accidents. Judging the parent won’t help anyone. We need to be candid about our missteps to keep our kids safe. Trust me, that parent is already feeling guilty enough.”
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In summary, Kelly Thompson’s experience serves as a vital reminder for all parents to remain vigilant about household appliances. Her story underscores the unpredictable nature of children and the need for safety precautions, especially when it comes to new machines.