CPSC Urges Consumers to Replace or Remove Latches/Locks on Lane and Virginia Maid Cedar Chests; 14 Deaths Reported

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging consumers to immediately replace or remove the latch and lock on recalled “Lane” and “Virginia Maid” brand cedar chests.  The cedar chests were recalled because the chest’s lid automatically locks when the lid is closed.  

Fourteen children have suffocated to death inside these cedar chests after becoming locked inside between 1977 and 2015.  In 1996, The Lane Company recalled 12 million cedar chests with latches that automatically locked the lid when it was closed.  CPSC is concerned that millions of these recalled cedar chests remain unfixed in consumers’ homes and continue to pose a danger to children.

United Furniture Industries, Inc. (UFI) of Tupelo, Miss. acquired rights to the Lane brand name in 2017 and is now distributing the free replacement latch and lock to consumers who own the recalled cedar chests.

Consumers who have not received and installed the replacement latch and lock should immediately remove the old latch and lock and contact UFI toll-free at 877-251-5010, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT, leave a message after hours of operation, or send an email to LaneRepair@ufifurniture.com or order the free replacement latch and lock online at www.lanefurniture.com and click on Product Safety for more information.

Once received, the latch and lock should be installed immediately to protect children from becoming trapped inside and suffocating.  Consumers who previously received a free replacement latch and lock as part of the recall should verify that the replacement parts are installed. 

The old style latches on all “Lane” and “Virginia Maid” brand cedar chests manufactured between 1912 and 1987 should be immediately removed by consumers to eliminate the hazard.  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.