Furniture such as dressers and chests tend to be large because they need to be able to store as much clothing or items as possible for their owners. But that large size also makes them very heavy and dangerous for any children who manage to topple them over.
Anchor kits can help prevent furniture tip-over accidents, but even these measures aren’t foolproof.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently announced that dozens of furniture manufacturers have issued a recall for millions of anchor kits. The manufacturers warned that the affected kits can degrade over time.
Made by New Age Industries and sold together with furniture from 31 different manufacturers, the kits consist of plastic zip ties, screws and brackets. Furniture owners would use the parts to secure bulky furniture to walls and prevent tip-overs. However, according to the recall notice, the zip ties can become brittle or snap over time.
The recall affects anchor kits sold with furniture made in November 2019 or later. Other anchor kits not made by New Age Industries are unaffected by the recall.
How dangerous are furniture tip-overs?
Large furniture such as dressers and other clothing storage units are heavy enough on their own, but when filled with clothing they become even heavier – and more dangerous.
According to the CPSC, there have been 234 fatalities related to tip-overs from January 2000 to April 2022. Of those deaths, 199 were children.
Legal rights of parents when children are injured
Parents should be aware that they might have grounds for a product liability lawsuit if a defective anchor kit leads to a disastrous furniture tip-over that injures their children.
You’ll want to preserve the evidence after seeking medical treatment for your child’s health. Document everything – your child’s medical expenses, photos of the tipped-over furniture, the damaged anchor kit – and write down details of the incident.
Consider approaching a legal professional who can help you determine if you have a strong case against a furniture manufacturer. A lawyer is also critical in dealing with large manufacturers so that you can focus on your family’s well-being.