It is against the law to leave an old refrigerator, icebox, or similar large airtight container somewhere kids can get to it, if the door or lid still has hinges, latches, or locks that could trap a person inside. To stay out of trouble, the hinges, latches, or other hardware that could lock someone in must be removed first. This rule does not apply to containers kept in a store, warehouse, or repair shop. Breaking this law is a class B misdemeanor.
Classifications stated in the statute. Actual outcomes vary.
577.100. of airtight or semi-airtight containers — . — 1. A person commits the of abandonment of an airtight or if he or she , discards, or permits to remain on under his or her control, in a place accessible to children, any or discarded icebox, refrigerator, or other airtight or semiairtight container which has a of one and one-half cubic feet or more and an opening of fifty square inches or more and which has a door or lid equipped with hinge, latch or other fastening device capable of securing such door or lid, without rendering such equipment harmless to human life by removing such hinges, latches or other hardware which may cause a person to be confined therein.
2. 1 of this section does not apply to an icebox, refrigerator or other airtight or semiairtight container located in that part of a building occupied by a , warehouse or repair person.
3. The shall have the under subsection 2 of this section.
4. The offense of abandonment of an airtight or semiairtight container is a .
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Source & history notes
(L. 1977 S.B. 60, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Effective 1-01-17
Related Missouri laws
Abandoning motor vehicle
RSMo 577.080
Water contamination
RSMo 577.078
Unlawful disposition of a dead animal
RSMo 577.076
Anhydrous ammonia, unlawful release
RSMo 577.075
Damaging state park property
RSMo 577.073
Littering
RSMo 577.070
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.