Emergency room visits are back up after a pandemic drop, and refrigerators came in as the number one appliance to cause an injury, according to LendingTree.
During the 10-year study, there were 427,454 refrigerator-related injuries. LendingTree gets these numbers from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which keeps track of ER visits.
A big reason for injuries caused by the fridge is when it leaks and leaves unexpected puddles on the floor. Another reason is when people are trying to clean behind it or move it for repair, and then it falls on them.
Number two on the list is the stove/oven. Burns are a big one, especially for young kids.
Number three is the vacuum cleaner. Friction burns from people getting a toe or a hand stuck in the rollers are the most common injuries. Rollers in a vacuum cleaner can continue to spin after you turn the unit off. A few manufacturers even recommend wearing slippers or other footwear to guard against this risk.
So which insurance covers an ER visit for you, and what if a guest gets hurt?
“So an injury around the home is generally covered by your personal health insurance, not your homeowner's insurance," said Rob Bhatt, content writer and analyst for LendingTree. "You know, homeowner's insurance covers a lot of things, including damage to your home. And it includes injuries. It covers injuries to guests.”
Washing machines are another appliance that makes the list, as well as microwaves, dishwashers and dryers.
Bhatt says life is busy, but we need to take the time to make sure our appliances are working properly. If you do spot a problem, he says call a professional.
So if something happens, do you file a claim right away? Bhatt says you can call your insurance company and inquire about a claim. He says even just opening a claim can make your rates go up, so it's best to inquire first to see whether it will be covered.