Safety watchdogs have warned of the dangers of Ikea chests of drawers and wardrobes after two children were killed when they fell on to them.
The US consumer product safety commission says consumers should stop using Ikea’s wardrobes and and chests of drawers for children unless they are secured to a wall.
The Swedish furniture giant is offering a free kit to help consumers do that. The kit will be available to consumers who bought 27 million of the furniture items above specific heights, including seven million of the Malm chests.
“The chests and dressers can pose a tip-over hazard if not securely anchored to the wall,” the safety commission said.
Ikea and the safety commission said two boys were killed in 2014 after Malm chests of drawers that had not been secured to walls tipped and fell on to them.
A two-year-old boy from West Chester, Pennsylvania, died in February 2014 when a six-drawer Malm chest fell on him and pinned him to a bed, the statement said.
A 23-month-old child from Snohomish, Washington, was killed in June 2014 when a three-drawer Malm chest tipped over and trapped him.
The safety commission and Ikea say they have received 14 reports of Malm chests tipping over, resulting in four injuries.
Ikea is aware of three other deaths that were reported from other models that tipped over. Those deaths were described as happening since 1989.
They say consumers should not use Ikea children’s chests of drawers and wardrobes taller than 60cm and adult versions taller than 75cm unless they are securely anchored to a wall.
The Malm chests in the repair program have been sold since 2002, and cost between $80 (€73) and $200 (€183).
Ikea says its products are safe when assembled according to instructions.
Guardian