Chicago, IL – They were supposed to keep food cold. Instead, old refrigerators became airtight traps that killed dozens of children in the 1950s — and the danger hasn’t disappeared.
According to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission data, at least 39 children died between January 1954 and June 1956 after climbing into discarded refrigerators. Back then, fridge doors had heavy latches that locked shut from the outside, sealing off air completely. Once inside, kids had no way to escape.
Congress passed the Refrigerator Safety Act in 1956, requiring all units made after Oct. 31, 1958, to use magnetic doors that can be pushed open from the inside. Public awareness campaigns also urged people to remove doors before throwing out old units.
But even with safer designs, fatal accidents still happen. In 2019, three children in Florida — ages 1, 4, and 6 — died after climbing into an unplugged chest freezer in their yard. The lid closed, a latch engaged, and they couldn’t get out. Similar tragedies have been reported in South Africa, Russia, and Kyrgyzstan in recent years.
Safety experts warn the threat isn’t just ancient refrigerators. Freezers, coolers, washing machines, and even toy chests can trap children if they close tightly. They recommend keeping appliances locked or stored indoors, removing doors before disposal, and teaching children they’re not safe hiding spots.
Old fridges may look like harmless relics, but history proves they can be killers — and the same rules apply to any airtight container today. The difference between life and death can be as simple as a missing door.
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