How about big red letters on uprights with brush rollors that spin at 6000, to 7000 rpm. [CAUTION DONT STICK YOUR HAND HERE WHEN RUNNING].OR product should only be used by people over 18 years old>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
MOLE
Hi Mole,
You're right. Vacuum cleaner safety is a real issue of concern. However, kids of a reasonable age can use vacuums sensibly and safely -- they just need to be taught how to.
A few years back, I came across an article regarding a child, a toddler I believe, who had stuck the working end of a running vacuuming cleaner's hose into his mouth and suffered permanent lung damage because of it. And to this day, I've never forgotten the time I stuck the end of a detachable Electrolux cord in my mouth at about age four.
Due to carelessness, there is potential danger by way of revolving brushes, detachable cords, sharp exposed metal edges and any number of other things for both children and unwary adults. However, most vacuum manufacturers now provide instruction manuals with all sorts of warnings but it seems easier to sell a vacuum than to motivate a new machine's owner to at least skim his user guide. I'd suppose, having read all sorts of current user manuals, that there are enough warnings and disclaimers included to cover a manufacturer's butt in the legal sense but . . .
Vacuum cleaners could be definitely made safer by a mandate for a lighted display to alert you that a machine is plugged in. Only a few companies provide the like. A "dead man" switch (something like the idea used for lawn mowers) on upright vacuums' andles or canister vacs' hose ends would also be of benefit. Pror to its G series, Kirby provided hose ends and wands that bore large perforationsat their male ends that kept full suction from being delivered unless a tool was attached. Kenmore canisters -- we're going back a while -- had a similar set up for a time. Maybe they stopped using that particular design because no one seemed to notice.
To be fair, as much as consumers rant and rave when makers of appliances miss the mark, maybe we should just as vociferous when they hit the bull's eye dead on.
Best,
Venson
