The Strange and Forgotten 'LOCKED IN A FRIDGE' Epidemic of the 80s

Today, for some reason, I was reminded of the 'Very Special Episode' of Punky Brewster where the kid gets locked in an old refrigerator. This seemed to be a huge problem in the 80s. I remember my parents telling me not to play in fridges, discarded or otherwise. I remember hearing it on the news, and it got a special ep of Punky Brewster devoted to the prevention of it. The notion had honestly never struck me before they said anything, and really, how many fridges were lying around in the 80s? Was there some kind of refridgerator epidemic?! Were fridges ACTUALLY running when people prank called to ask if they were? And if it was such a popular topic of child safety back then, why do I never hear parents warning the children of today to steer clear of playing in fridges? Is it safe to play in them now? I'll have to stuff the neighbour kid in mine to find out for sure. I'll update you with that progress.