Never allow children to use paper shredders
If you have a paper shredder in your home, you’ll want to exercise caution. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 50 children under the age of 5 suffered from amputations, lacerations and other injuries from paper shredders between 2000 and 2005.
Children love to pretend like the adults they see working every day, and so they may try to operate a shredder when no one is around. However, keep in mind that even if an adult is supervising a child, injuries can occur. The problem occurs when a child’s fingers are pulled in with the paper because they don’t know to let go.
For these reasons, children should never be allowed to use shredders. If you own a shredder, it should be kept in an area that is not accessible to children. When the shredder is not in use, unplug it.
For general safety, never place your hands or fingers near the shredder opening. You should not wear loose clothing while operating a shredder, and you should keep long hair and necklaces away from the shredder opening.