CPSC, Lane Urge Renewed Search for Cedar Chests; Another death and two near fatalities reported
Press Release # 00-084
Transcript
(View of a piano) The Consumer Product Safety Commission (view of cedar chest) and the Lane Company (view of two cedar chests) want you to know about a safety hazard associated with certain Lane and Virginia Maid cedar chests.
(Lady sitting on a couch and a little girl coming and opening the chest and putting something inside) In 1996, following reports of six children suffocating inside the chests, (close of opening of chest) Lane recalled 12 million chests with (little going over to lady and sitting with her on the couch) lids that automatically locked when closed.
Despite efforts to alert the public (two people putting stuff in chest) about the need to replace these lid locks, Lane believes that many of the recalled cedar chests are still being used in homes. There has since been another suffocation death, (close-up of person putting stuff in chest and closing the lid) and two near fatalities to children who became entrapped in the chests.
(CPSC's Chairman Ann Brown speaking) "These cedar chests present a hidden danger to children because they automatically latch shut. Children who climb in them while playing, can become entrapped and suffocate."
(Close-up of inside of lid, reading in part: "Lane".) All Lane and Virginia Maid brand cedar chests (close-up of lid reading: "Virginia Maid by Lane") manufactured between 1912 and 1987 need to have their locks replaced.
(Two people sitting on the floor in a room and girl coming in, putting something in the chest and shutting it) To determine if your chest needs a new lock, let the lid close, if the lid latches shut automatically (lid being shut and being checked to see if it is latched) without depressing a button on the outside of the chest, the lock needs to be replaced.
(Lane representative speaking) "We are urging consumers to take a minute to check their cedar chest. If yours is one of the recalled chests, Lane will provide a new lock, free of charge, that will prevent entrapment."
(New lock being installed) Once you've installed the new lock, if children should climb inside the cedar chest, they will be able to push the lid open and free themselves. (adult opening and closing the chest to make sure that it does not latch) The only way to lock the chest is by pressing a button on the outside of the lid.
(Two people turning over chest) To find out if your cedar chest is part of this recall, locate your chest's (close-up of bottom of chest, which reads: "Style No. 2664 82; Serial No. 2195180") serial and style numbers, which are found on the outside bottom or outside back of the chest. (woman calling company) Write these numbers down and call (screen reading: "Lane Cedar Chest; Lock Replacement; 1-888-856-8758; http://www.lanefurniture.com/customer_care/newlockrequest.asp?LHF=") (Note: web site is changed) Lane at: 888-856-8758 or visit Lane's website at: http://www.lanefurniture.com/customer_care/newlockrequest.asp?LHF= (Note: web site is changed). Lane will send you new locks, which can be installed easily.
In Washington, I'm David Wright reporting.
(Screen reading: "Soundbite; Kathy Oswald, Director, Advertising and PR; The Lane Company")
End