Fridge/freezer doors are designed not to be opened from the inside for safety reasons. The primary concern is to prevent accidental entrapment or injury to anyone, especially children or vulnerable individuals, who might climb inside and become stuck.
Here are some reasons why fridge/freezer doors are not equipped with handles on the inside:
Safety: The refrigerator and freezer compartments are relatively small, enclosed spaces. If someone were to accidentally get trapped inside, it could lead to a dangerous situation, such as suffocation or injury. By not having an internal handle, the risk of unintentional entrapment is minimized.
Food preservation: Opening the door from the inside can cause temperature fluctuations and compromise the refrigerator's ability to maintain a consistent temperature. This can lead to food spoilage, which defeats the primary purpose of having a refrigerator or freezer.
Air sealing: Modern refrigerators are designed with a magnetic gasket or rubber seal around the door perimeter. This seal creates an airtight barrier, preventing warm air from entering and cold air from escaping. If the door is opened from the inside, it can disrupt the seal, reducing the appliance's energy efficiency and potentially causing condensation issues.
Design simplicity: By not including handles on the inside, the design of the refrigerator door is kept simple and easy to clean.
To ensure safety, it's essential to educate household members, especially children, about the potential hazards of playing inside appliances and to keep the refrigerator doors securely closed when not in use. If you have young children, consider installing child safety locks on your fridge and freezer doors to further prevent accidents.
If, by any chance, someone does become unintentionally trapped inside a fridge or freezer, it's crucial to know how to handle such emergencies. Always call emergency services immediately for professional assistance in safely freeing the person from the appliance.