Chest freezers
Class II - ModerateWhat Should You Do?
- Check if you have this product: (Up to 9 million)
- Do not eat it: Even if it looks and smells fine, do not consume this product.
- Throw it away or return it: You can return the product to the store for a full refund.
- Report problems: Report any issues to the FDA's Safety Reporting Portal.
Recall Details
- Company:
- The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) and its refrigerator/freezer manufacturing members
- Reason for Recall:
- 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.
- Classification:
- Class II - Moderate
Products that might cause a temporary health problem, or pose a slight threat of a serious nature.
- Status:
- ongoing
- 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.
Product Images
Product Information
Full Description:
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.
Product Codes/Lot Numbers:
(Up to 9 million)
Official Source
Always verify recall information with the official CPSC source:
View on CPSC.govCPSC Recall Number: 01016