IKEA safety alert after falling furniture causes deaths

Home furniture giant IKEA has reminded customers to ensure they use wall brackets for some of its furniture after sets of drawers fell on two toddlers causing their death.
By John A. MacInnes
Published 24th Jul 2015, 10:53 BST
IKEA Malm chest of drawersIKEA Malm chest of drawers
IKEA Malm chest of drawers

In separate incidents, children aged two and 23 months were killed when dressers tipped over on them and the Swedish retailer has launched a safety campaign to encourage customers to use wall mounting brackets.

IKEA say that the wall-anchoring kits are readily available in-store and come free of charge with the products, while they can also be ordered online and are designed to prevent tip-over hazards.

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It is believed there were three other recorded incidents of deaths because of other furniture tipping over since 1989.

Gerard Bos, IKEA UK and Ireland Customer Relations Manager, said: “Product safety and quality are top priorities for IKEA.

“Furniture tip over is a serious safety risk in the home, however IKEA chests of drawers and dressers are safe to use when assembled according to the assembly instruction and attached to the wall using the restraints provided in the packaging of these products.

“IKEA is committed to raising awareness of the hazard of furniture tip over and in many IKEA markets, including the UK, we are running a safety awareness campaign called ‘Safer Homes together - Secure it!’ in order to raise awareness of this issue.”

Have you had any problems with furniture tipping over? - If so, let us know by emailing: [email protected]

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