I've never had a cat get hurt this way and I'm still paranoid, and will check both my cats are safe and not in the machine before I turn it on. One in particular feels the need to explore anything that opens - cupboards, dishwasher, dryer, refrigerator, even the oven. I've luckily trained him to keep far away of the dangerous stuff like the dishwasher and dryer and oven, but he'll still try to climb into the fridge if I don't pay attention.