Stoves, Tipping Appliances Can Kill

Source | MYSA

The number of accidents involving tipping stoves is growing. Consumer advocates and those who have been hurt by the tipping appliances say manufacturers just aren’t doing enough.

A report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission says, since 1980, tipping stoves have killed 33 people and injured at least 84. Last year, two people were killed and nine were injured, making it a 20-year high.

About 12 years ago, James Hablin was 18 months old. His mom was making dinner, and he managed to open the oven door and stand on top of it. As he did, the appliance tipped over, pouring boiling water all over him.

“He was screaming and crying,” said his mother, Stephanie Moran. “His eyes were just … there was nothing there.”

At the hospital, the report was grim. Hablin has second- and third-degree burns to 28 percent of his body.

The unbearable screaming, broken and blistered skin, and brutal but necessary surgery are still fresh in Moran’s mind.

“I was just like, ‘Oh, my God! This isn’t happening … It was hard for a long time.”

More often than not, the cause of the tipping stove is excessive weight on an open door.

That’s what happened to Deshanda Leshlay.

“I tried to move, but couldn’t move fast enough,” Leshlay said. “I started screaming … just a lot of pain.”

In 1986, attorney Dan Sciano brought the first case to light in San Antonio.

“The consequences are catastrophic,” Sciano said.

In that case a stove seared a 3-year-old’s arm off.

Since then, the cases have been stacking up.

“I can’t even add them up on all my toes, all my fingers,” Sciano said.

Manufacturers are to blame, he said, because they don’t use solutions like break-away doors or stabilizing brackets.

The documented danger goes back to 1969, Sciano said. And the stickers and labels manufacturers use don’t do enough, Sciano said.

“It’s a problem that’s well known … It’s a problem that everyone agrees needs to be addressed. The problem is right now it’s still not being addressed at the manufacturing level,” Sciano said.

The manufacturers say they have addressed the issue. Their industry Web site clearly states their position that, “if recommended installation guidelines are followed by properly installing the anti-tip device, the range will not tip.”

Home inspector Ray Daily says anti-tip devices do work. In 17 years and more than 2,500 San Antonio inspections, about 70 percent of homes do not have safety devices installed.

“We see it every day. The majority of anti-tip devices are missing,” Daily said.

Consumer groups are now calling for action.

“They knew about it and chose not to do anything. I didn’t know about it. Now, my son is burned and scarred for the rest of his life,” Moran said.

“The stove company should’ve fixed it. They don’t really care,” Hamblin said.

Do I Have a Stove Tipping Lawsuit?

If you or a loved one have been injured or killed due to a stove or kitchen range tipping over, you should contact us immediately. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and/or loss and we can help.

Learn More: Stove Tipping Lawsuit