Earlier this week, the Consumer Reports TV crew was filming a segment on blenders, detailing the results of our recently updated Ratings of nearly 60 models. Our cameraman got too close to one of the blender blades and gave his thumb a pretty good gash. He's not alone. More than 7,000 people were injured by blenders in 2011, based on emergency-room treated injuries reported to the Consumer Products Safety Commission. The number has tripled in the last decade as blenders continue to gain in popularity.
The vast majority of injuries involve lacerations to a finger, with people coming into contact with a blender blade while operating or cleaning their machine. While young children and the elderly are sometimes hurt, the largest age group to sustain injuries is the 25 to 44 cohort. Think harried parents rushing to get dinner on the table, young professionals scrambling to make their morning smoothie, and yes, reveling twenty-somethings whipping up another round of margaritas.
Whatever your age, here are six safety reminders that will help you enjoy your blender without ending up a statistic.
—Daniel DiClerico
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