Two Children Killed After IKEA Dresser Tips Over
July 22, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) — After the tragic death of a two children in 2014 from falling drawer chests, IKEA is giving away free wall anchoring kits to hopefully prevent any more accidents.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) along with IKEA of Conshohocken, Pa. have officially announced the recall of all MALM 3- and 4-drawer chests and two styles of MALM 6- drawer chests, and other chests and dressers, which can pose a tip-over hazard if they are not securely anchored to the wall.
A child dies every two weeks and a child is injured every 24 minutes in the U.S. from furniture or TVs tipping over, according to CPSC data. To help prevent injuries and deaths, CPSC and IKEA urge consumers to securely anchor furniture and TVs to prevent these tragedies.
Two children died in 2014 after a two-year-old boy from West Chester, Pa. was pinned against his bed by a 6-drawer MALM chest and a 23-month-old child from Snohomish, Wash. died after becoming trapped beneath a 3-drawer MALM which tipped on him.
IKEA stated in a press release that consumers should immediately stop using all IKEA children’s chests and dressers that are taller than 23 ½ inches tall. As well as adult chests and dressers which are taller than 29 ½ inches, unless they are securely anchored into the wall.
There have been around 7 million MALM chests and 20 million other IKEA chests and dressers which are part of a nationwide repair program.
There have been 14 other reports that IKEA and CPSC have received of tip-over incidents involving MALM chests, four of them have resulted in injuries.
IKEA and CPSC are urging consumers to inspect their IKEA dressers and chests to ensure that they are securely anchored to the wall. Consumers should move unanchored chests and dressers into storage or other areas where they cannot be accessed by children.
To receive a free wall anchoring kit, visit an IKEA retail store, go to www.IKEA-USA.com/saferhomestogether, or call (888) 966-4532.
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