Product Safety Officials Investigating Washing Machine Death of Calif. Girl, 4

Federal product safety officials are investigating the death of a four-year-old Orange County (Ca.) girl, who was killed after she climbed into front-loading washing machine that was accidentally turned on by her 15-month-old brother.

Kaylee Ishii, of Mission Viejo, died February 2, 2009 in what officials are calling “a tragic accident.” Investigators believe the girl climbed into a front-loading Kenmore 417 washer in her family’s home. Her brother is suspected of accidentally starting the machine by bumping into a start button that was located just 20 inches off the ground.

Orange County Sheriff’s officials have said it appears the children were playing with the machine and ruled the girl’s death an accident. Kaylee was taken to a nearby hospital and treated for nearly five hours before she was pronounced dead.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is now looking into the incident and will consider whether a new safety standard which requires top-loading washing machines to have agitators that stop moving when the lid is opened should also be applied to front-loading machines.

The agency could also order a recall of front-loading washing machines if officials determine the design of the washers presents an unreasonably high risk of serious injury or death to users.

Since Jan. 1, 2004, the CPSC has received three reports of fatal washing machine accidents. Each involved top-loading machines, making the death of Kaylee the first known accidental death of a child involving a front-loading washing machine.

Recalls of washing machines are rare and the commission has only issued two in its history. In March 2007, a Maytag washer was recalled for leaking water on electrical parts. In March 2005, a front-loading washing machine was recalled over concerns about a spinner that could malfunction and break, officials said.

The CPSC is charged with regulating the sale and manufacture of more than 15,000 consumer products, including cribs, household appliance, and swimming pools.

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