Severity
Moderate
ModerateActive
CPSC recall · Reported October 24, 2000
CPSC, Appliance Manufacturers Announce Voluntary Recall Initiative for Old Chest Freezers - A Deadly Play Area for Children
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…
Compiled from official public sources by the editorial team.
Verify with CPSC →
The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (Aham) and its refrigerator/freezer manufacturing members recalled The freezers that are part of this program were made before 1970 by more than 40 manufact… - a moderate-severity action.
CPSC, Appliance Manufacturers Announce Voluntary Recall Initiative for Old Chest Freezers… was recalled by The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (Aham) and its refrigerator/freezer manufacturing members in October 24, 2000. Reason: Although some manufacturers had freezers that were in compliance prior to the 1970 standards, most old chest …. Remedy: Consumers should properly dispose of these non-working freezers immediately or disable th…. Verify recall #01016 with the CPSC before acting.
The recall
The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (Aham) and its refrigerator/freezer manufacturing members issued this moderate-severity CPSC recall-Although some manufacturers had freezers that were in compliance prior to the 1970 standards, most old chest ….
- Moderate
- severity level
- October 24, 2000
- reported
Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #01016 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.
Recall Insight
This CPSC action (record #01016) was formally reported on October 24, 2000. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (Aham) and its refrigerator/freezer manufacturing members is listed as the recalling firm. Federal records list the affected scope as Up to 9 million.
The documented reason for this recall is: 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 freez… Distribution information was not included in the agency filing, so consumers should assume broad potential exposure until the firm publishes point-of-sale details. The remedy documented by the agency is: 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 shou… - consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.
Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls, 6 from CPSC - clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.
Children & Baby Products recalls over time
Where this recall sits in its category - 3,731 children & baby products recalls on record
Of 101,704 recalls in the database, 24,878 are high severity, 72,426 moderate, and 4,400 low. This recall is classified moderate severity.
Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger, we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.
Affected scope
Up to 9 million
Related Recalls
6
6 from same agency
Product 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.
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.
Remedy, what to do
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.
Recall Profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission |
| Severity class | Moderate |
| Status | Active |
| Recall number | 01016 |
| Date reported | October 24, 2000 |
| Date initiated | October 24, 2000 |
| Recalling firm | The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (Aham) and its refrigerator/freezer manufacturing members |
| Affected scope | Up to 9 million |
| Distribution | Not disclosed |
| Official source | CPSC notice → |
Profile values are sourced directly from the official CPSC enforcement record. Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
What to do with this recall
Consumers should properly dispose of these non-working freezers immediately or disable the latch, if disposal is impossible. Even…
- Check the recall number (01016) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
- Confirm the current status and remedy on the official CPSC notice before acting. CPSC notice
- Follow the documented remedy (refund, replacement, repair, or disposal) rather than general advice. What to do next
This page summarizes the official CPSC record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What product was recalled? ▼
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.. Recalled by The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (Aham) and its refrigerator/freezer manufacturing members. Units affected: Up to 9 million.
Why was this product 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.
What should consumers do? ▼
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.
Which agency issued this recall? ▼
This recall was issued by the CPSC on October 24, 2000. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 01016.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall? ▼
Check the product description and recall number (01016) against your product. Visit the official CPSC website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
How do I report an injury from a recalled product? ▼
Report injuries to the issuing agency: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem, or FDA via MedWatch. Document the product (photos, model/serial numbers, purchase receipts) and seek medical attention. Injury reports help agencies track hazard patterns and may strengthen enforcement actions.
Nearby Recalls in This Category
Other recalls in the same product category, useful for spotting patterns across the same defect class or manufacturer.
CPSC Moderate
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Target Recalls Gigglescape™ Under the Sea Popping Toy Due to Choking Hazard
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Vevor Recalls Baby Loungers Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Entrapment and Fall Hazards; Violate Mandatory …
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Compare this recall with AMASKY Nursing Pillows Recalled Due to Risk of Serious Inju… →
Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records, no number is typed in by an editor. This recall: CPSC, reported October 24, 2000. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type), and related-recall context is computed across the full archive. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of July 2026.