You can open the door of a dishwasher at any time during its cycle without fear of floods - there is never enough water in there for it to run out. Sometimes the odd small splash may shoot out as the circulating pump slows down - a teaspoon or two at most.
It might have become becalmed because of a defective heating element - controls waiting for the water to get up to temperature. After 6 years you might think of a new one - or an engineer to repair the one you have.
Good luck...
Peccavi
February 2010