CPSC recall 01-016, announced October 24, 2000, covers Chest freezers (up to 9 million units). 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. Consumers should properly dispose of these non-working freezers immediately or disable the latch, if disposal is impossible. Recall contact: call (800) 267-3138, or go to www.aham.org/freezer_safety.htm.
Compare the model on your label, then check any serial numbers, date codes, and exclusions in the notice. A model match alone does not confirm that your unit is included.
The CPSC data does not provide a discrete model-number list for this record. Compare the product description and identification details on the official notice.
Which products are included?
The freezers that are part of this program were made before 1970 by more than 40 manufacturers, a number of whom do not exist today. Consumers can determine if their chest freezer poses a hazard by trying to open the freezer without using the handle. If the freezer can be opened by pulling up on sides of the lid, it is not a hazard. If the lid only opens by using the handle, it needs to be properly disposed of or disabled. Up to 9 million chest freezers were manufactured between 1945 and 1970 before voluntary safety standards went into effect, allowing freezers to be opened from the inside. The freezers that are part of this program were made before 1970 by more than 40 manufacturers, a number of whom do not exist today. Consumers can determine if their chest freezer poses a hazard by trying to open the freezer without using the handle. If the freezer can be opened by pulling up on sides of the lid, it is not a hazard. If the lid only opens by using the handle, it needs to be properly disposed of or disabled.
Confirm these details on the official CPSC noticeWhy it was recalled
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.
Incidents and injuries
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.
Official 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.
Product and sales details
- Brand
- The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) and its refrigerator/freezer manufacturing members
- Manufacturer
- The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) and its refrigerator/freezer manufacturing members
- Product type
- Freezers
- Recall number
- 01-016
- Units
- Up to 9 million
- Sold at / sales period
- 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.
Chest freezers
CPSC product type: Freezers
Recall contact information
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
Verify phone numbers, hours, and websites on the current CPSC notice before contacting the firm.
Know someone who has one?
Recalls only work when owners hear about them. Send this notice to family or friends who might own the same product.
