Refrigerator Safety Warning: 5 Year Old Requires 38 Stitches After Freezer Incident

In our daily lives, potential hazards lurk in unexpected places, including our kitchen appliances. Staying vigilant about safety precautions is essential to protect ourselves and our children from preventable accidents that can have serious consequences.

Shocking Freezer Incident Leads to Severe Facial Injuries

A troubling incident in Shanghai, China resulted in a 5-year-old boy requiring 38 stitches on his face after a seemingly innocent action went terribly wrong.

During the hot Shanghai summer, the child placed a carbonated beverage can in the freezer to cool it quickly. When he later retrieved the can and attempted to open it, the pressurized contents erupted violently. The can fractured upon bursting, causing significant facial lacerations requiring extensive medical treatment.

Medical professionals report seeing numerous similar injuries resulting from improper storage of pressurized containers in freezers. This growing pattern of accidents highlights an important home safety concern.

Three Items That Should Never Be Stored in Your Freezer

Many people habitually place all food and beverages in the refrigerator or freezer for rapid cooling. However, this practice can damage your appliance, reduce its lifespan, and potentially create serious safety hazards.

1. Carbonated Beverages

Carbonated drinks in cans or bottles should never be stored in the freezer compartment. When these beverages freeze, the water content expands significantly while CO₂ gas continues to exert pressure inside the container. This combination creates extremely high internal pressure that can cause the container to rupture explosively.

For safely cooling carbonated drinks:

• Limit freezer time to approximately 5 minutes (just enough to chill but not freeze)
• Store in the refrigerator compartment instead
• Use ice cubes in your drink rather than freezing the container

2. Alcoholic Beverages

Storing sealed alcoholic beverages in the freezer creates similar pressure dangers. Additionally, the alcohol content presents a flammability hazard. If the refrigerator malfunctions or creates a spark, these substances could ignite and cause a serious fire or explosion.

Safety recommendations for alcoholic beverages:

• Store at room temperature in dry, well-ventilated areas
• Use ice cubes for chilling when serving
• For beer, use ice buckets or coolers rather than freezer storage

3. Dry Ice

Dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) should absolutely never be placed in a freezer. When stored in the confined space of a freezer compartment at temperatures below -18°C, the solid CO₂ will expand dramatically—600 to 800 times its original volume.

This massive expansion in a sealed environment can cause catastrophic appliance failure, potentially damaging surrounding items and endangering household members.

For proper dry ice handling:

• Store in specialized insulated cooling containers designed for dry ice
• Never handle with bare hands, as it can cause severe cold burns
• Always use tongs or insulated gloves when handling

Home Safety Precautions

Taking these simple preventative measures can help protect your family from serious injuries and your appliances from unnecessary damage. Always read manufacturer guidelines for your specific refrigerator model and teach children about proper food storage safety.

By understanding these freezer safety principles, you can maintain a safer kitchen environment while maximizing the lifespan and performance of your refrigeration appliances.