CPSC recall 01016

Chest freezers

• CPSC
• unknown
• Published 2025-12-04

On 2025-12-04 the CPSC announced a recall of Chest freezers by The Association Of Home Appliance Manufacturers Aham And Its Refrigerator Freezer Manufacturing Members, citing 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-an….

Read the official CPSC notice

Product

Chest freezers | 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.

Reason

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.

Status history

No status changes recorded since RecallRadar first saw this recall on 2026-09-13 11:58 UTC. Current status: unknown.

Source

Official record: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2001/CPSC-Appliance-Manufacturers-Announce-Voluntary-Recall-Initiative-for-Old-Chest-Freezers---A-Deadly-Play-Area-for-Children

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