Antique cedar chests that were recalled more than a decade ago are showing up in shops across Connecticut and state consumer protection officials are issuing a warning that the furniture that has been passed down in families poses risks for children.
Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Jonathan Harris said the original style latches on all Lane and Virginia Maid cedar chests manufactured between 1912 and 1987 need to be replaced for safety purposes.
“We want to get the word out to let consumers know to check their homes and see if they have chests that have automatic locks,” he said.
The Lane Company recalled 12 million cedar chests in 1996. Since then, 10 people have died of suffocation.
“The most recent ones involved the deaths of a 7- and 8-year old out of Franklin, Massachusetts.
Just this past year, out of Kentucky a 12-year-old boy suffocated inside the Lane cedar chest,” said Lori Lytle, product safety investigator with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The deadly component is with the top latch of the chest. Once you shut it, it locks and the only way to open it is from the outside.
Local
According to the Department of Consumer Protection, most of these chests are airtight and sound proof. Children might think it’s a good place to hide, but if this latch is on, it can become a deadly mistake.
“These were recalled. They’re dangerous. If you have them, dismantle the lock if you want to sell it, or get it off the floor and do not sell it,” Harris said.
Last month, four of the recalled chests were found in local stores and resellers and consumers must either remove the lock or order the new safety lock from the company itself.
