Using furniture securing devices to keep children safe from injuries or death from furniture falling onto them.
Q:"36 million chests and dressers were recalled by IKEA on June 29, 2016. According to IKEA, "products meet all mandatory stability requirements in Europe and other parts of the world." U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman Elliott Kaye said in a statement on Tuesday that tipped-over furniture or television sets kill a U.S. child every two weeks,How do I keep my children safe? Thanks. Tina
Answer: IKEA furniture is not the only source of such accidents. IKEA is offering free furniture anchors to its customers. Furniture anchors are the best safety device to use. When children pull on dressers in an attempt to open upper drawers or pull out a drawer to climb on, the dresser or chest can easily fall on them. In 2010 or 2011 Consumer Reports recommended ToppleStop furniture and TV straps for securing furniture. Each set of Topple Stops has two straps, one secures to a wall stud on one to the TV set or the stand.
Topple Stops furniture straps attach to the back of solidly set furniture and secure to wall studs behind the furniture. Topple Stops can anchor appliances and furniture that weighs up to 400 lbs. For items that weigh up to 200 lbs. install a minimum of 1 kit with two point attaching. Use two kits or four point attachment for objects that weigh 200 to 400 lbs. Remember that nothing substitutes for parental supervision.
For metal units, attach Topple Stop half with an adhesive pad to a dry surface cleaned with isopropyl alcohol (that gets off any residual grease). Then attach the other half to a wall stud.
For wooden units, the preferred attachment method is using #8 x 1 inch wood screws to attach the fasteners to the frame or the inside edges top or sides of the furniture.
The wall attachment requires using #10 x 2 inch wood screws to the wall studs behind the furniture. If studs are metal, use t-bar anchors to toggle bolts. You can use wall anchors if each has a minimum holding strength of 100 pounds.
Heavy Duty ToppleStop Furniture Fastening System Kit Contents:
- Two (2) grey Thumb Lock fasteners, 2" long by one wide with 3/4" lock lever. Use with wood screws or 3M VHB adhesive attachment. (Bonding Times: Wait four hours before adding strap. Adhesive fully bonds after 72 hours.)
- Two (2) 12" long, 3/4" wide grey locking strap with grommet for wood screw attachment.
- Four (4) #8 x 1" wood screws for furniture attachment Two (2) #10 x 2" wood screws for wood wall stud attachment.
Thumb lock fastener attaches to locking strap. Fastener can be moved and locked in either direction on the strap. Lift locking lever to "open." Lock fastener on strap by pushing lever down firmly. Note: Thumb Lock adhesive is non-hardening. Fasteners can be removed without damaging surface if slowly and gently pried off with appropriate tool.Suggestion: Install when children are not present, i.e. asleep for the night.
We also recommend Topple Stops for use in day care centers, hotels, motels, etc. to increase safety and reduce liability insurance costs.
Product Performance Warranty: This product does NOT replace child supervision. This product is only intended to help or reduce movement of equipment during jarring movement. It is common understanding that fastened equipment should fare better during jarring movement than equipment that is not fastened, helping to reduce the amount of damage and injury that could result. No warranty can be properly applied to the performance of the products due to the uncertainty of forces generated, and numerous variables involved in a jarring event, or natural disaster. Products that are defective in material and workmanship prior to installation of the product will be replaced. The user or third party installer accepts liability for injury, loss, or damage, direct or consequential, arising from use or misuse or inability to use the product.
Thanks for your question.
Sincerely,
Barbara
