The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced the voluntary recall of 29 million chests and drawers which do not comply with the performance requirements of the U.S. voluntary industry standard namely, ASTM F2057-14.
The recall comes after an incident in which a toddler from Apple Valley, Minn. died when a MALM 6-drawer chest fell on top of him. This is the third reported death involving the MALM chests and dressers.
If not properly anchored to the wall, the recalled chests and dressers are unstable, which pose a tip-over and entrapment hazard which can result in death or injuries to children.
The recalled chests and dressers include the following models:
– MALM 3-drawer sold between 10/2002 to 06/2016
– MALM 4-drawer sold between 06/2002 to 06/2016
– MALM 5-drawer sold between 10/2002 to 04/2016
– MALM 6-drawer sold between 06/2002 to 06/2016
– MALM 6 Long sold between 11/2002 to 06/2016
– MALM 6-drawer sold between 04/2006 to 06/2016
MALM 6 Drawer
According to the CPSC, there have been 41 reports of these chest and drawers tipping over resulting in 6 child fatalities and 19 child injuries.
Just last year, the CPSC launched a campaign titled “Anchor It” which aimed to educate the public to prevent TV and furniture tip-overs from killing and seriously hurting children. The campaign communicated that approximately 38,000 Americans end up in hospital emergency rooms each year, with injuries relating to tip-overs of top-heavy furniture or televisions which are placed on furniture, rather than a TV stand. Two-thirds of those injuries involved children younger than 5.
Consumers have been asked to immediately stop using any of the recalled chest and dressers that is not properly anchored to the wall. Rather place it in an area where children do not have access.
IKEA is giving consumers two options:
- Refund – a full refund for affected products manufactured between January 2002 and June 2016. Consumers with chests and dressers manufactured prior to January 2002 will be eligible for a partial store credit.
- Free wall-anchoring repair kit – The kit can be installed by consumers themselves or upon request; IKEA can provide a once-off, free in-home installation service. The kits can be reordered throughout the life of the chest or dresser.