Today in its entirety: a U.S. government news release (updated 2018) with renewed warnings about vintage “Lane” and “Virginia Maid” brand cedar chests. Thanks to reader Kate, who tipped me to this renewed safety alert. Please read on, for the details:
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 27, 2014) – In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Lane® Home Furniture is calling for a renewed search for cedar chests with lids that automatically latch shut when closed, locking children inside. CPSC is aware of the recent deaths of a Franklin, Mass. brother and sister ages seven and eight who suffocated inside one of the chests. To prevent a similar tragedy, CPSC and Lane are urging consumers to check their “Lane” and “Virginia Maid” brand cedar chests. CPSC’s investigation has determined that the lid on the 75-year-old Lane cedar chest closed and automatically latched shut, locking the children inside the chest. The second-hand Lane cedar chest was bought from a local resale store about 13 years ago.
In 1996, the Lane Company, Inc. recalled 12 million chests with latch/locks that automatically secure the lid when closed. They began offering new latch/locks free of charge that prevent children from being trapped inside the chest. The new latch/locks, which Lane continues to make available to consumers, do not automatically latch and trap children inside the chest when the lid is closed. The original recall included reports of six children suffocating to death inside these chests. A seventh suffocation death and two near fatalities occurred between 1996 and 2000.
The old style latches on all “Lane” and “Virginia Maid” brand cedar chests manufactured between 1912 and 1987 need to be replaced. Chests can be identified by the brand name “Lane” or “Virginia Maid” located inside the cedar chest. These chests are often handed down through families or purchased second-hand.
Consumers should immediately remove the latch from Lane/Virginia Maid cedar chests and contact Lane to receive new replacement hardware. This new hardware is easy to install by consumers in their homes and does not automatically latch shut. For certain chests made between 1912 and 1940, consumers will receive hardware that does not latch. For chests made from 1940 to present, consumers will receive hardware that does not automatically latch when closed and requires a person outside the chest to latch and lock the lid. If you own a similar hope chest or cedar chest that is not part of the recall, disable or remove the latch/lock. Contact Lane toll-free at (800) 327-6944, Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT, or access their web site at http://www.lanefurniture.com/ to order the free replacement hardware. Consumers should have the chest’s serial and style numbers, which are branded on the outside bottom or back of the chest, available when contacting Lane.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC’s work to help ensure the safety of consumer products – such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals -– contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 40 years.
Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC’s Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @OnSafety or by subscribing to CPSC’s free e-mail newsletters.
lynda davis says
My mom had an old chest from the 40’s that had belonged to my dad’s mom. We gave it to my daughter and she did send for the latch fix. It was an easy fix and Lane sent the proper latch quickly. My husband also put some new hinges on. Now you have to press on the top to close the chest–so that little fingers cannot be slammed by the top closing.
Janice says
Thanks for the heads up. Called them today. It turns out my cedar chest, which was my mom’s, was manufactured on 11/24/1948. She must have gotten it when she got married in the early 50’s. I need to figure out how to make the top look a little nicer.
Chad says
I refinished one for my parents; the original finish had alligatored badly. It was easy to take it off with Citristrip and it took new stain and varnish (Waterlox) well.
Janice says
Alligator end–that’s a perfect description! Good to know there’s hope for it.
Janice says
Damned autocorrect. Alligatored.
tammyCA says
What a terribly sad tragedy! As safety conscious as most parents are today there are still many things we completely overlook…I never thought about cedar chests! I do know there have been tragedies with stand alone ovens when kids pull down the door to climb up and the stove topples over and crushes them. We have to think about the safety issues with vintage/old items.
Chad says
though that might be a non-issue with vintage ovens that are built like tanks! I think anti-tip brackets were designed to fit the oven, not the other way around, so hopefully you could use them regardless.
KayRay says
My late grandfather, a master carpenter in his day, built a chest for me in the 60’s when I was a child. It was to be a toy chest and then later used as a hope chest. He was adamant that there be no lock — in fact it had curved cut outs to use when opening. I remember the cut outs because of course I climbed in many times — they let light in and I was never scared hiding in there 🙂 Now I know why he designed it that way. Smart man, thank goodness.
I urge anyone who ever sees a chest like this for sale ANYWHERE to inform the seller about this potential danger even if you’re not interested in buying it. I know I wouldn’t want to sell something that might hurt anyone. Even if the seller didn’t want to fix the problem, at least they could warn a buyer.
This was a great public service — who knows how many injuries and deaths you prevented.
THANK YOU!
Andrew says
I have seen these for sale in antique/flea venues and have informed the proprietor of the danger. Typically, they look at me like I am insane. Unfortunately, unless liability attaches to the seller, there will likely be no difference.
pam kueber says
The news release says it’s illegal to sell these recalled products. At least that’s how I read it…
Andrew says
You are correct, I believe. The reality is that no one believes you, particularly in the second hand environment. Perhaps the collectible universe can spread the word. Antiques Roadshow should do a little blurb on it, along with the potential solution.
You are doing your part, Pam. This has been a known issue for a long time, but people forget, and the young get old and buy old stuff without knowledge of the inherent danger. Collectibles require eternal vigilance.
perhaps a feature on “Known vintage dangers” along with a solution. The great thing about the Lane Chests is that there is a solution. It’s not like the lead paint/asbestos issue, where there really is not. . .
Janet in CT says
It is so tragic to find out that children are still dying in these cedar chests and in old refrigerators when trapped by the latch mechanisms. There is another trunk which is also dangerous but receives much less attention. My mother had one – it is the one that looks like a travel trunk, with the metal looking bands running across it. I have one and intend to destroy it when we move, so that no-one unaware of its danger uses it again. I think many people bought it as dowry chests of a sort. I have a rattan trunk I got before I got married in which I stored alot of things I wanted, but mine of course did not latch and lock. I store linens in it now and think alot of people do the same but of course don’t need to lock it.
Cynthia says
How very tragic to hear about the little lives lost. It’s heartbreaking. So glad it’s being brought to the public’s attention again. 102 years’ worth of chests with these locks is a lot of potential danger.
I wonder why the manufacturers used these automatic locks on a piece of furniture….did people use the cedar chests like safes?
pam kueber says
I am not sure, but yes, I tend to believe that folks used these chests like safes — they locked away precious items…
Carolyn says
I grew up with one of these at the foot of my bed. It was lockable, but only locked with a key, but to open it you had to push on the key-hole button and it was not easy to open, even when unlocked from the outside. I remember not being able to open it myself until I was probably 10 or so? My mom used it to store out of season linens, sweaters, etc. but I know they were often referred to as hope chests and used to store a bride’s trousseau, which occasionally included dishware, silverware and/or jewelry so, the lock was seen as needed.
We have one of these at the foot of our bed and I really need to get the numbers out of it and get the replacement parts.
ScottG says
I think the automatic nature of the latch is more about sealing the contents and protecting items from environmental threats (moths, smoke/odors, etc.) rather than using the chest as a safe. My mother’s has a lock but it always latches shut without regard to the engagement of the lock.
Come to think of it, the thing closes a lot like old refrigerators, that is with a loud “thwack!,” and once it’s closed…it’s closed! Thankfully, the only thing ever caught inside by the lid was a finger or two.
Robin, NV says
Thanks for the warning and continuing to point out the dangers of buying vintage (much as we love it). I see these for sale on Craigslist all the time, I just wonder how many people know of the recall.
Ruth A Kuntz says
Any time you buy products second hand it is best to check the recalls. Between safety hazards and lead content you just never know.
Jay says
I saw this in NYT the other day. I frequent a furniture consignment warehouse and there are always various styles of cedar chests on the floor. Some I have looked at have very heavy lids and when closed lock automatically. I have often wondered about the safety of these. Now I know.
Anna K. says
Thank you for the alert – I’ve been wondering if it was even possible to remove the (sticky and unreliable) latch on my 1939 Lane chest! Guess I know the answer now…