The tragic dangers of old refrigerators and kids

[Shagley]

There was a sad situation yesterday where a local boy suffocated after being stuck in a non working refrigerator that someone had in their backyard (the yard wasn't fenced, so it was easy access to the refrigerator). It was an older model refrigerator where the door locked when it was shut and could only be opened from the outside. I was surprised to read on the local news station's facebook page about how many people had no idea that if you put a non-working refrigerator or freezer outside or in an area where children could get to it, the doors had to be removed. In fact, in Illinois, I think it is a law (or an ordinance or something). It is something I have always known, so I just figured everyone else knew it too, but apparently it is not common knowledge.

So now I am asking, did you know that if you put a refrigerator or freezer outside to be junked (or for any other reason), you MUST remove the doors?

 

[DebbieB]

There was a sad situation yesterday where a local boy suffocated after being stuck in a non working refrigerator that someone had in their backyard (the yard wasn't fenced, so it was easy access to the refrigerator). It was an older model refrigerator where the door locked when it was shut and could only be opened from the outside. I was surprised to read on the local news station's facebook page about how many people had no idea that if you put a non-working refrigerator or freezer outside or in an area where children could get to it, the doors had to be removed. In fact, in Illinois, I think it is a law (or an ordinance or something). It is something I have always known, so I just figured everyone else knew it too, but apparently it is not common knowledge.

So now I am asking, did you know that if you put a refrigerator or freezer outside to be junked (or for any other reason), you MUST remove the doors?

Yes, I knew that.

 

[tigercat]

Yup I knew that as well. Every time though we have bought a new appliance we have had them take them away so that there was no danger to the kids here. I have always been afraid of something like that happening.
tigercat

 

[old lady]

This is an old problem. I remember hear warnings about this in old cartoons.

 

[Tozzie]

There was a sad situation yesterday where a local boy suffocated after being stuck in a non working refrigerator that someone had in their backyard (the yard wasn't fenced, so it was easy access to the refrigerator). It was an older model refrigerator where the door locked when it was shut and could only be opened from the outside. I was surprised to read on the local news station's facebook page about how many people had no idea that if you put a non-working refrigerator or freezer outside or in an area where children could get to it, the doors had to be removed. In fact, in Illinois, I think it is a law (or an ordinance or something). It is something I have always known, so I just figured everyone else knew it too, but apparently it is not common knowledge.

So now I am asking, did you know that if you put a refrigerator or freezer outside to be junked (or for any other reason), you MUST remove the doors?

If I put a refrigerator out for garbage I have to take the doors off, if Iput a refigerator in my own backyard I don't. This has been law for many many years, however if the fridge was as in this case, in my backyard I don't have to remove the door.

 

[DaisyLynn]

I will never forget that Punky Brewster episode. I saw it around age 5 and it stuck with me.

I would have known to remove the door.

 

[avgeek81]

This is an old problem. I remember hear warnings about this in old cartoons.

There was an episode of Punky Brewster also. I usually have my old appliances taken away when I get new ones. I'm not sure if I would think to take the doors off if I didn't. A good warning for people who don't know.

 

[zurgswife]

I've known for a very long time...

 

[mmackeymouse]

I will never forget that Punky Brewster episode. I saw it around age 5 and it stuck with me.

I would have known to remove the door.

Same! That was the very first thing I thought of when I read this.

 

[ilovemk76]

There was a sad situation yesterday where a local boy suffocated after being stuck in a non working refrigerator that someone had in their backyard (the yard wasn't fenced, so it was easy access to the refrigerator). It was an older model refrigerator where the door locked when it was shut and could only be opened from the outside. I was surprised to read on the local news station's facebook page about how many people had no idea that if you put a non-working refrigerator or freezer outside or in an area where children could get to it, the doors had to be removed. In fact, in Illinois, I think it is a law (or an ordinance or something). It is something I have always known, so I just figured everyone else knew it too, but apparently it is not common knowledge.

So now I am asking, did you know that if you put a refrigerator or freezer outside to be junked (or for any other reason), you MUST remove the doors?

I am in my 50s and I remember as a kid hearing (TV, radio or other?) about always removing the doors when you were not using them.

 

[Handbag Lady]

How could anyone not know this?


It has been around for decades.

 

[Guyton dis lover]

When ever you get rid of an old frig take hammer and beat the door off it.

 

[KennesawNemo]

I honestly don't know, so I am very glad I read this thread. Thank you, op!

 

[dyna]

Something I've always known.

Altho I did think that fridges an freezers had been fixed not to lock from the inside a good 15 or 20 yrs ago....still I would not want to chance it.

I guess it is possible someone still had a 40 yr old fridge sitting around.

 

[DisneyWalle]

I will never forget that Punky Brewster episode. I saw it around age 5 and it stuck with me.

I would have known to remove the door.

I remember that episode. WOW! Thats been a few years ago.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

Add me to the list of people that did not know

 

[MrsDuck]

I didn't know but am glad to! What an awful situation.

 

[bdcp]

This is an old problem. I remember hear warnings about this in old cartoons.

This is definitely an old problem. I'm 53 and we were warned as kids to stay away from refrigerators left outside. It's been a public service announcement for years. Always take the door off of old refrigerators before discarding them, or rip the seal off.

 

[Shagley]

Maybe this is something that those of us that were around during the 1970's and early 80's are more familiar with than anyone younger than that. I remember it was a pretty big deal back then. I really haven't heard anything mentioned about old refrigerator safety in years, so I could see how the younger generations might not know about removing the doors. I had just assumed it was common knowledge, but now I can see that I only thought that because I had it drilled into my head when I was a kid growing up in the 70's.

This is the law in Illinois:

PUBLIC SAFETY
(430 ILCS 150/) Abandoned Refrigerator Act.

(430 ILCS 150/1) (was 720 ILCS 505/1)
Sec. 1. Whoever abandons or discards in any place accessible to children any refrigerator, icebox or ice chest, of a capacity of one and one-half cubic feet or more, which has an attached lid or door which may be opened or fastened shut by means of an attached latch, or who, being the owner, lessee, or manager of such place, knowingly permits such abandoned or discarded refrigerator, icebox or ice chest to remain there in such condition, shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.
(Source: P.A. 77-2347.)

Class C misdemeanor: maximum 30 days in jail and $1,500 fine

 

[thedonduck]

Honestly the only reason why I knew about removing doors is from my parents having an old fridge that had a latch on it that they decided to get rid of. I questioned why they would do so much work for something that was going in the garbage.

I think now a days that fridges don't have a latch type door there really isn't a "reason" to remove the doors. There really should be a way for the door to be locked shut.