Young children playing in the chests can become trapped inside and suffocate.
The Lane Co. manufactured approximately 12 million cedar chests from 1912 to 1987 that latch automatically and click loudly when closed. Between 1977 and 1994, six children suffocated inside Lane cedar chests manufactured with an old design lock. The victims ranged in age from 21 months to 10 years old. Consumers can determine whether their chest has an old lock by closing the lid without depressing the locking button, then attempting to open the lid without touching the button. If the lid opens, the chest has the new lock and is safe.