Kid Gets Stuck in Washing Machine

Kid Gets Stuck in Washing Machine

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

One Mom details the scary experience of finding her 4-year-old trapped in the family washing machine.

Jennifer Hasseman of Dover, Ohio found her son on Sunday Doniven stuck, head first, in the washing machine. After failed attempts of freeing him, Jennifer and her husband had to call 911! Mom•Logic caught up with Hasseman to find out what exactly happened and got tips from Saftey Dad so this won't happen to you ...

ML: What exactly happened?
My two older kids came upstairs and said, “Mom, Doniven’s head is stuck in the washer!” He was screaming from inside, and very scared. His head was at the bottom and his whole body—his one leg was folded underneath him, and the other was somehow twisted around the agitator.

ML: As a Mom, were you going through an adrenaline rush?
I felt a surge or rush where I became super woman, but I didn't seem to have enough power behind me to get him out. My (husband) tried to cut the agitator apart, but finally said, “I cannot get him out.” That’s when I called 911.

ML: After calling 911, what happened?
They went downstairs and called in another fire department to bring the jaws of life. They finally got him out by cutting the front end of the washer and also removing the agitator.

ML: Was Doniven injured?
He walked away with a few red marks on his back—no bruises. He says he won't do it again, and I hope that’s true. He’s mommy’s little helper—he said he was getting clothes out of the washer to put in the dryer because he loves to help me, and a load had finished.

Tips From Safety Dad on how to keep your laundry room safe:
1. Move all detergents and other caustic material to a high shelf or in a locked/baby-proofed cabinet.

2. Use locking straps to keep the doors of the washer/dryer locked when not in use.

3. Remove any objects that a child could use as a stepping stone to reach the top of the washer/dryer.

4. Gate the washer/dryer room all together: It sends the message that this area is off-limits.

5. Educate your children about the dangers of this area before anything can happen, it's never too early.

For more advice from Safety Dad, click here.

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7 comments so far | Post a comment now >>

Wasn’t she watching him? It seems like when things like this happen it usually comes from lack of parental supervision.

- Lynne

Posted 02/06/08 09:41 PM

I’m curious how many kids Lynne has (if any) and how old they are.

- dadtastic

Posted 02/06/08 09:48 PM

Sounds like the older 2 kids are guilty of shoving him in there…..someday, like when they are 32 and 37, they’ll admit it….LMAO! Glad the kid was ok.

- S

Posted 02/06/08 11:17 PM

I’m surprised the mother isn’t suing the washing machine manufacturer. People always blame it on something else. They’re never at fault.

- Robin

Posted 02/07/08 12:13 PM

Lynne- Do you have eyes on your kids 24/7? Sometimes accidents happen and as a mom, you should be more sensitive.

- j

Posted 02/07/08 12:29 PM

Wow! These comments are harsh , kids play espcially if you have older kids in the house they play hide and seek. Back off the mom Accidents are just that Accidents!!!!!

- Anonymous

Posted 02/10/08 08:56 AM

stop critising this mother!!! It sounds very logical to me that ” momma’s little helper” would attemp what her little boy did.It would take 2 seconds for this to happen. Take a look into your own home and your own actions people - next week this will be you getting interviewed about something similar. These people were interviewed to bring awareness to this freak accident, i would never have thought about my child getting stuck in a washer of all things. I am sure she did not go public to be critised by strangers - yet to help others - BACK OFF people, you are not perfect either!!

- tami MacEachern

Posted 09/08/08 08:54 AM