A device for controlling an electric appliance having a door, a main power circuit, and a switch for automatically shutting off the main circuit when the door is opened the switch is a reactivatable magnetic switch, which selectively assumes a closed position and an open position respectively closing and opening the main circuit. The magnetic switch is powered by an activating circuit, which is cut off when the door is opened and a movable part of a hinge supporting the door is rotated. When the activating circuit is cut off, the magnetic switch is moved into the open position by the actin of a spring which keeps the magnetic switch in the open position even when the activating circuit is closed again. The user, after closing the door, must reactivate the magnetic switch by pressing a push-button to move the magnetic switch into the closed position.