Originally Posted by
Jerry Peck
I don't think 'could' is a good word, unless you mean it as 'maybe once in 100 million billion trillion times'.
I've looked at our dishwasher, and thinking back to the many others I've looked at, and those which do not have a locking lever take A LOT of force to make them latch, and that is not going to happen from a small child, with small fingers, grasping a dispenser door or cover.
Also, all the ones I've seen (recall seeing) where you turn knobs or push buttons requires the 'start' button to be pushed AFTER the door latches. The lever type with a knob which turns WILL START after the door is closed, IF the lever is moved to the locked position -which is not going to be done from inside the dishwasher.
I know you are just 'being cautious' because 'strange things happen', but the reality is that way too many parents 'do terrible things to their children' and then try to blame it on 'an accident' or 'a malfunction'.
Actually Jerry, "could" is a very good word. I have seen and I am sure you and others have, dishwasher doors that almost closed by themselves due to new or improper springs on the doors. Once the door gets past halfway up, it closes very easily and if it is the self-latching type, could easily lock.
18 month olds have surprising strength and could easily pull the door closed on themselves.
It is a tragedy. I also agree that parents do terrible things to their children. I just don't think that is what happened here.