In a major safety announcement, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a recall for nearly 400,000 Frigidaire side-by-side refrigerators with slim ice buckets. The recall has been initiated due to a potential choking and laceration hazard related to a plastic component in the ice bucket assembly.

According to the official statement, the affected Frigidaire refrigerators contain a faulty ice bucket assembly component which has the potential to break. As a result, plastic pieces can enter the ice bucket, posing a serious risk of choking and laceration if dispensed alongside the ice.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has received a total of 343 reports regarding plastic pieces breaking off, including two incidents that resulted in both laceration and ingestion injuries when the broken pieces were dispensed from the recalled ice bucket. This alarming trend has prompted the authorities to issue an immediate recall.

To resolve the issue, Electrolux Group, the parent company of Frigidaire, is offering a free replacement ice bucket assembly component to affected consumers. Customers are advised to stop using the ice makers and get in touch with Electrolux Group via their toll-free number at 888-377-7563 from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Alternatively, they can reach out via email at IceBucketRecall@electrolux.com. The company has also set up two specific websites, www.icebucketrecall.com and www.frigidaire.com, where users can find more information about the recall by clicking on the "Recall Information" tab.

The affected Frigidaire branded side-by-side refrigerators with slim ice buckets were available for purchase between November 2015 and September 2019. Consumers who bought these refrigerators from Lowe's, Home Depot, Frigidaire.com, and other national retailers during this period are urged to take immediate action to ensure their safety.

The recall serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance when it comes to product safety. With such a large number of potentially hazardous refrigerators in circulation, prompt action is crucial to prevent any further incidents that could harm consumers.