Millions of Americans load their dishwashers after dinner, letting them run overnight while they sleep — but one woman warns this could be dangerous.
Simone Anderson, a 29-year-old from Kansas, shared how her house caught fire while she was asleep earlier this month after starting her dishwasher before heading to bed. Anderson, who has a husband, Paul, and two young children, Nola, 4, and Ansel, 1, said she had followed the same routine every evening — loading the dishwasher with the day’s dirty dishes.
On the night of August 7, something went terribly wrong. The dishwasher caught fire. Anderson recalled being woken up by the sound of the smoke alarms and hearing her husband, Paul, rush downstairs. He was stunned to find the kitchen filled with flames, with the area around the dishwasher completely engulfed.
In a panic, Paul grabbed Anderson and their children to evacuate the house as the smoke quickly filled the rooms. The fire had spread so quickly that Paul realized it was too big for him to contain, especially as it was making its way into the hallway.
The family called the fire department, and after investigating, the fire department determined that a malfunction within the dishwasher sparked the blaze, which caused severe damage to their home. Everything in the house was covered in soot, and Anderson said it was no longer livable. The kitchen would have to be torn apart, and it would take months, if not longer, to repair the damage.
Despite losing most of their belongings — including items that were special to their daughter, Nola, on her birthday — Anderson was grateful they escaped the fire unharmed. She said they could have easily perished if they hadn’t woken up to the smoke alarms.
Since the incident, Anderson has been spreading awareness about the risks of running appliances at night. She learned that such fires are more common than people realize. She now urges others to avoid using major appliances like dishwashers while sleeping, as it’s much harder to stop a fire once it’s started and you’re not awake.
Electrical expert Ryan Gregor also warned about the potential hazards of household appliances, emphasizing the importance of regular maintenance, proper ventilation, and avoiding overloading electrical circuits. He stressed the importance of smoke detectors, as they can be life-saving in case of emergencies.
According to the US Fire Administration, electrical malfunctions are the leading cause of residential fires, particularly during the night when people are asleep. They recommend plugging major appliances directly into wall outlets and ensuring proper maintenance of household items like clothing dryers and electrical cords.
In the aftermath of the fire, Anderson said it was difficult to believe what had happened. She advised others never to run appliances when they’re sleeping or away from home, as fires can happen unexpectedly. Despite their loss, she remains thankful that her family is safe.
