'Chemical incident' prompts fridge freezer warning (From Wandsworth Guardian)

'Chemical incident' in Streatham prompts fridge freezer warning

11:52am Sunday 15th January 2012 in News

Firefighters have warned residents not to use sharp objects to defrost freezers after being called to a "chemical incident" last night.

The fire brigade was called to a home in Rackham Mews, near the Streatham end of Mitcham Lane, at about 9.30pm yesterday, whose occupant became alarmed when he punctured a hole in his freezer.

Refridgerators contain a liquid chemical called Freon, which can escape as gas if there is a puncture and settle in the lungs, causing health problems, if inhaled.

A spokesman for Tooting fire station said: "We get called out to these kinds of incidents, which are reported as chemical incidents, more often than you would think.

"A leak to a fridge can be dangerous and residents are right to call us if they are concerned.

"But we would urge anyone defrosting their freezer not to use a sharp knife to scrape off the ice. Just turn it off and wait a couple of hours and that should be enough."