According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, a child dies every other week from furniture or televisions tipping over. Now comes news that a major furniture maker is recalling 27 million chests and dressers because of this issue, following the death of two children.

IKEA and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall of MALM chests, which were involved in the two deaths, as well as other IKEA chests and dressers.

The furniture company is offering U.S. consumers a free wall anchoring repair kit free for MALM chests, IKEA children’s chests and dressers taller than 23 ½ inches, and IKEA adult chests and dressers taller than 29 ½ inches.

CPSC and IKEA received a report that in February 2014, a 2-year-old boy from West Chester, Pa. died after a MALM 6-drawer chest (48 3/8 inches high) tipped over and fatally pinned him against his bed. CPSC and IKEA also received a report that in June 2014, a 23-month old child from Snohomish, Wash. died after he became trapped beneath a 3-drawer (30 ¾ inches high) MALM chest that tipped over. Neither chest had been secured to the wall.  IKEA and CPSC have also received 14 reports of tip-over incidents involving MALM chests, resulting in four injuries. Since 1989, IKEA is aware of three additional reports of deaths from tip-overs involving other models of IKEA chests and dressers.

A child is injured every 24 minutes by furniture tipping over, which means that parents should be aware of the dangers before furnishing their homes.

IKEA has some tips on how to prevent a possible tragedy:

  • Secure it! Furniture must be securely attached to the wall. Use the tip-over restraint provided with the product and the right hardware for your wall type. Consult our wall anchoring guide for help.
  • Never put a TV or other heavy objects on top of a chest of drawers or any furniture not intended for use with a TV.
  • Place heavy objects in the lowest drawers.
  • Never let children climb or hang on drawers, doors or shelves.
To receive a free wall anchoring kit, visit an IKEA retail store, go to www.IKEA-USA.com/saferhomestogether, or call (888) 966-4532.  For more information, visit IKEA or the Consumer Product Safety Commission online.

 

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