Modern electronics and household appliances have made life easier for American families, but they have also brought with them unseen hazards that cause thousands of accidents in homes every year.  We can't imagine life without our televisions, refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, cooking ranges, ovens, toasters, microwave ovens and hair dryers, but these appliances can conceal hidden dangers.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide is formed through the combustion of fuels, running of automobiles, generators and cigarette smoke.  The gas is odorless and colorless, but is highly toxic. Most cases of carbon monoxide poisoning can be traced to gas water heaters and furnaces. Other sources of the toxic gas include refrigerators, cooking rages, ovens, charcoal grills and portable household generators. Symptoms of poisoning can range from breathlessness and mild anxiety, in early stages, to hypothermia, low blood pressure and heart attacks in severe cases of poisoning.

Instability and Tipping Hazards

Large household appliances can pose tipping hazards if the appliance has manufacturing or design defects. Common tipping hazards at home include refrigerators, washers, dryers, televisions and cooking ranges that are unstable or poorly balanced. Children are especially at risk when a large heavy appliance topples over. Cooking stoves and ovens have injured dozens of people in recent years after installers failed to install metal brackets to hold these stoves firmly on the countertop.

Electrocution Hazards

Great precaution must be taken when using any electronic appliance to avoid electrical shock, scalding, burns or even death.  Exposed wiring in commonly used household appliances like cooking ranges, electric stoves, air conditioners, and other large appliances has been the cause of fatal electrocutions.  In addition to these, smaller appliances like toasters, irons, hair dryers and hair stylers can also cause electrical shocks strong enough burn the skin and even cause organ damage and maiming injuries.

Fire and Burn Hazards

Electronic products like laptop computers and coffee makers can overheat causing burn injuries.  Faulty and malfunctioning electrical wiring in appliances is also a frequent cause of fire and burn hazards.  Kitchen and outdoor appliances fueled by natural gas or propane like grills, heaters, stoves, ovens and furnaces are also susceptible to manufacturing or design defects that can cause serious accidents like an explosion or fire.