There is a bit of learning curve to using a pressure cooker. I still don't trust my wife or adult daughter to use a pressure cooker. But, that's just them because they tend to get a glazed look in their eyes when I've tried to explain to them how to make sure all the pressure is released before opening. I don't trust them, so in our house, I'm in charge of opening the lid on our Instant Pots (we have 2).
With that said, these are pressure cookers and they can be dangerous if one tries to open it while still under pressure. I've used various brands of pressure cookers for over 25 years prior to the "Instant Pot" and all modern pressure cookers have various safety features built in. Stories of a pressure cooker blowing up are typically stories that have been passed down from somebody's great grandmother when pressure cookers were dangerous. I find it difficult to believe that any modern pressure cooker made by a reputable company would "explode" without some type of user error - usually someone trying to open when still under pressure. I'm not saying it's impossible for one to explode on its own, but based on my 25+ years of using pressure cookers, I think it's very unlikely.
I believe "Instant Pots" (not to be confused with other branded pressure cookers) are very safe if used properly and properly maintained. The "Instant Pot" brand is a good brand that I've found to stand behind their products. We have 2 instant pots in our house and we use them weekly in our house with no worries. I suggest you do some research on the safety and also make sure your wife is willing (unlike mine) to learn how to safely operate one of these.
