Ikea Offering Dresser Repair Kits After Deaths Of Two Children

PUTNAM COUNTY, N.Y. – IKEA is offering free wall-anchoring kits after two toddlers were killed when IKEA chests and dressers fell on them, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

IKEA is offering free wall-anchoring kits after two toddlers were killed by tipped-over chests and dressers, like this MALM 6-drawer chest.
Photo Credit: *U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).*

Nicole Briggs

07/23/2015 9:00 a.m.

The kit is to be used for IKEA’s MALM 3- and 4-drawer chests, two styles of MALM 6-drawer chests, IKEA children’s chests and dressers taller than 23 1/2 inches and IKEA adult chests and dressers taller than 29 1/2 inches.

IKEA received reports of two children who died after MALM chests tipped over and fell on them. In Feb. 2014, a 2-year-old boy from West Chester, Pennsylvania died after a MALM 6-drawer chest tipped over and pinned him against a bed. In June 2014, a 23-month-old child from Snohomish, Washington died when he became trapped underneath a 3-drawer MALM chest that fell over.

IKEA and CPSC have also received 14 reports of tip-over incidents involving MALM chests that resulted in four injuries. Since 1989, IKEA is aware of three other deaths from tip-overs involving other models of IKEA chests and dressers.

The kit contains replacement tip-over restraints for use by any consumer who has not secured their IKEA chest or dresser to the wall, complete wall anchoring hardware, instructions and warning labels to be affixed to the furniture.

To receive a free wall anchoring kit, visit an IKEA retail store, go to www.IKEA-USA.com/saferhomestogether or call (888) 966-4532.

About 7 million MALM chests and 20 million other IKEA chests and dressers are part of the nationwide repair program.

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