News about Paper shredders
[25/05/2010] Injury risk with residential shredders
Injury risk with residential shredders
As with any other similar devices, paper shredders cause injuries that can range from small cuts to lacerations and even amputation. The majority of these injuries happen to young children and pets and in order to prevent them, the latest models have adopted a few safety features:
- Safety sensors – some shredder models have safety sensors, which are located close to the paper opening and shut down the shredder as soon as your hands go close to that opening.
- Safety flaps and locks – the safety locks prevent children from turning on the shredder, while electronically-controlled safety flaps cover the cutters and prevent accidents and overfeeding.
- Slimmer paper entries prevent even children from getting their fingers being pulled in.
- Blades positioned away from the opening also decrease the chances of injury.
- Jam-proof mechanisms. In many cases injuries happen when a person is trying to un-jam the shredder; new jam-proof systems reduce or eliminate the jams altogether.
Even the high-end shredders, which usually have all or most of the above-mentioned safety features, should be operated with caution.
- Shredders should not he operated by children, even under supervision
- Loose clothing or jewelry should not be worn when using a shredder
- Long hair or other items that can be pulled in should be kept away from the opening of the shredder
- The paper shredder and its cord should be kept away from foot traffic
- When the shredder is not in use, it should be unplugged and the safety locks, if any, should be used
- Fingers or hands should not be placed in the paper opening
- Paper should be fed smoothly and never forced into the shredder
