CPSC2000-10-24
CPSC, Appliance Manufacturers Announce Voluntary Recall Initiative for Old Chest Freezers - A Deadly Play Area for Children
The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) and its refrigerator/freezer manufacturing members
Hazard
Although some manufacturers had freezers that were in compliance prior to the 1970 standards, most old chest freezers have latches that can trap a child. Children playing "hide-and-seek" have found the non-working freezers a deadly place to hide. When the lid closes, children can become trapped inside and suffocate - usually in less than ten minutes.
Remedy
Consumers should properly dispose of these non-working freezers immediately or disable the latch, if disposal is impossible. Even if a consumer has a pre-1970 chest freezer that is working, they should still call the toll-free number to get information on what to do, when the freezer is no longer working.
Sold at
The recalled bunk beds were sold through Pottery Barn Furniture Outlets in Leesburg, Va.; Memphis, Tenn.; Dawsonville, Ga.; and Jeffersonville, Ohio; and nationwide, through the Pottery Barn Kids catalog, from September 1999 through July 2000, for about $1,100.
Affected count
Up to 9 million
Injuries reported
Tragically, 27 children have died from suffocation between 1980 and 1999 after becoming trapped in the freezers. The deaths occurred in non-working freezers stored outside, in basements or garages. Victims ranged in age from two to fourteen. In many cases, more than one child suffocated inside the freezer.
Products
Chest freezers
Consumer contact
AHAM has set up a special toll-free number (800) 267-3138 from which consumers will be sent detailed information on identifying the affected units and how to dispose of them or disable the latch. Consumers also can receive information at http://www.aham.org/freezer_safety.htm
Official notice
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2001/CPSC-Appliance-Manufacturers-Announce-Voluntary-Recall-Initiative-for-Old-Chest-Freezers---A-Deadly-Play-Area-for-ChildrenDon't want to check this manually?
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