Hillsboro Toddler Drowned?

Okay I can’t hold my tongue any longer!  Have any of you seen this news article from Hillsboro, Oregon?  I was born there and still live on the outskirts of it, but anyway the article is titled: “Parents of Hillsboro toddler who drowned in washing machine warn others“. It goes on to tell how the mother always leaves the lid up on her clothes washing machine while doing the laundry.  Now as an electrician and appliance repairman, I noticed it right away.  My wife noticed it too!

Noticed what you might ask?  That it is not possible to wash clothes in a washing machine with the lid up!  Oh it will fill up with water and even drain, but it will not spin or agitate (clean) the laundry without the lid being down and closed.  Why?  Because the closed lid actuates a switch which completes the circuit to the washing machine motor turning it on.  Open the lid, the spinning or agitation stops almost immediately.

Curiosity got the best of you, right?  I was telling the truth about the tub moving wasn’t I?  Washing machines have had this safety feature installed in all washing machines for decades!  It was put in for this very reason, so a child would not be pulled underwater by the agitator and endanger his or her life!

Now knowing this and looking at the news release here at KPTV 12, I’m not entirely believing this mother’s story.  And maybe the Hillsboro Police might consider another look-see also.  What do you think?

SparkChaser4

What I’ve been up to . . .

Now that my better-half and I have been in this “new” home of ours for nine months now, our efforts are finally beginning to show around the homestead. Particularly the shrubs and plants found in our yard! Here’s a dozen to sample.

And this doesn’t even include the four varieties of plum trees and the taller fauna! I hope like me, you’re all staying busy and enjoying the beautiful weather we’re having now!

God bless.

SparkChaser4

Spring cleaning ?

Decided it was time to get rid of some things around the ol’ household. We’ve been in our new place (built in ’74 I believe) for six months now and the missus is still antsey about not being able to park her car in the garage. Little does she know that I’m considering taking over the whole garage for my “new” workshop anyway!

Meanwhile, out goes the Electric typewriter, four Handspring Visor Neos with USB cradles and a complete Windows Me computer system that I changed over to run on a Linux Operating System. I’m beginning to wonder if I’ll ever get this house in order before it’s time to meet my maker. Well, back to work!

SparkChaser4

An addendum to the last post

In addition to my last post I’ve had a further request concerning exhaust fans, both range hood and bathroom. Maintenance on a range hood consists of the obvious, turn off the circuit breaker and than wash/wipe down as much of the underside of the hood that is accessible. Don’t forget to do the outside (the topside) daily or monthly with the underside as well. While I’m at it, don’t oversize the wattage of the light bulb when you need to replace it. Only use what is specified on the Maximum Wattage Label and no more, the wiring won’t handle it long or safely. If no label, then err on the safe side and go with a 40 watt bulb as this is typical for range hoods.

Bathroom exhaust fans should be cleaned annually at a minimum. This also involves turning off the circuit, then typically two or four screws and one electrical plug from the motor. Two if you have a heat lamp. If you can’t remove the fan blade easily from the motor, then using a damp but not dripping rag, gently wipe clean the fan blade. Using a “real soft” bristle paintbrush gently “sweep” clean the motor itself. This includes the motor shaft, the coil windings, etc. Don’t get the paper cover on the motor windings wet as this could cause it to dissolve or loosen, not to mention electrical problems from shorting out. Let them dry thoroughly before reinstallation. Now turn your attention to the fan housing in the ceiling and using the paintbrush again, along with the soft bristle attachment connected to your vacuum cleaner, do a complete cleaning of the interior of the housing. Keep in mind that with hot showers and normal dust found in the air, the alternating layers of condensation and dust accumulates and when dry can set up hard as concrete! Then you need to also look to a putty knife or scraper of sorts to break this “crust” loose to complete your cleaning job. Don’t forget to let dry completely, reassemble and turn back on the circuit breaker. Well, now you’re done! Until next year. Now on to the fridge.

SparkChaser4