Police Issue Warning After Toddler Reportedly Suffocates Inside Washing Machine

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An Orlando family is mourning a tragic loss after their toddler died as a result of wandering into a front-loading washing machine, Today.com reports.

The child, who hasn’t been named at the time of this report, was allegedly playing with a sibling when he climbed into the machine. Police believe the door closed while the child was inside, creating an airtight seal. As a result, officers believe it was an accidental death due to lack of oxygen. Following the incident, officials are issuing an important PSA on the importance of educating kids on the dangers lurking inside a home.

“From a safety standpoint, this heartbreaking case should serve as a reminder to parents and adults out there about speaking to their children about the dangers of appliances,” Cory Burkarth, the public information officer for the Orlando Police Department, tells Today. “When I was a kid, washers and dryers were white and they didn’t look cool. But today, washing machines come in multiple colors like red, blue, black, stainless steel and they have buttons that light up, make cool sounds and have clear see-through windows. So to a young child, they look like a fun piece of equipment and often will want to play on or in them.”

It’s easy to overlook how dangerous certain items can be for a small child, but so many accidents and tragedies like this happen right at home. A study published last month linked more than 70 percent of traumatic brain injuries in kids and teens to consumer and household objects. Staircases, cabinets and home appliances may seem pretty harmless, but to a curious child they can pose a serious threat.

You probably did a round of baby proofing before your little one even arrived, but now may be a good time to recheck all those safety preparations since baby’s height, reach and mobility are much different these days. The best way to start childproofing your home is to view things from your child’s perspective—that means physically getting on the floor and seeing things from their point of view, as well as trying to put yourself in the mindset of your wandering child. Click here to learn more about how to make your entire home safe for your child, from the bedroom to the kitchen and into the backyard.

“No family should have to experience what this family is currently going through so we’re asking parents to use this [as] a teaching lesson for their own children," says Burkarth to Today.

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