IKEA safety alert after falling furniture kills two toddlers

An item from the MLM range of IKEA furniture. Image: IKEA

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.

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, the nearest branch of which is in Milton Keynes, 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.

It is believed there were three other recorded incidents of deaths because of other furniture tipping over since 1989 as reported by USA Today.

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.

“IKEA already provides tip over restraints and instructions with all floor standing units that are purchased which are required to be fastened to the wall. Warnings about the importance of using the tip over restraints provided are included in the assembly instructions which give step by step instructions for their use.

“Information about furniture tip over restraints is available on the price tag on display units, in IKEA store signage and online.

“The best way to help prevent furniture tip over accidents is to secure furniture to the wall. IKEA urges customers to inspect their IKEA chests of drawers and dressers to ensure that they are securely anchored to the wall.

“Should any customer be concerned about their furniture, they are welcome to contact us on 0203 6450010 (UK) or 01 5413302 (ROI) to request a free restraint kit if the original one was disposed of.”