An apparatus (10) includes an engagement element (11), fitted on a household appliance casing for being releasably held by a retaining element (16) fitted on the door (D). The engagement element (11) includes a support body (12); and a striker (14), releasably coupled to the retaining element (16) and is mobile between a retracted position and an extracted position. When the striker (14) is coupled to the retaining element (16) and assumes the retracted position and the extracted position, respectively, the door (D) is in a complete closing condition and in a pre-opening condition, respectively. A stop mechanism (18) moves from a release condition, to liberate said striker (14), to a locking condition, to hold said striker (14), in said retracted position; a driver controls movement of the stop mechanism (18). The stop mechanism (18) has a manually controlled safety element (18a) and is moveable to constrain the stop mechanism.