The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is currently re-announcing the recall of MALM and other models of chests of drawers and dressers from Ikea, due to serious tip-over hazard. At this time, there has been an 8th child fatality reported with the defective dressers. Consumers are being urged to stop using the chests immediately, and either get a refund or a repair from Ikea. If these chests aren’t properly anchored to the wall, they can pose a very serious tip-over and entrapment hazard. This can result in injuries or death to small children.
Over 90 Injuries to Children
At this time, there have been almost 300 reports of tip-over incidents involving these defective chests and dressers. Of those incidents, there have been 91 injuries to children and eight deaths. The most recent death happened earlier this year in Buena Park, California. A two-year-old child was trapped beneath a MALM 3-drawer dresser that tipped over on him. Ikea is currently recalling approximately 17.3 million of these faulty chests of drawers and dressers.
Defective MALM and Other Ikea Chests
These dressers and chests do not comply with the requirements of the U.S. voluntary industry standard (ASTM F2057-14). This recall included both children’s and adult’s chests of drawers and dressers. The MALM 3-drawer, 4-drawer, 5-drawer and the three 6-drawer models and other non-MALM models were all involved in the recall. Recalled children’s chests and dresses are taller than 23.5 inches tall, and the recalled adult chests and dressers recalled are taller than 29.5 inches tall.
Additional Ikea Chest and Dresser Recall Details
Many of these chests and dressers were manufactured between 2002 and 2016. They’re constructed of particleboard or fiberboard and come in a wide variety of colors and veneers. If you’re not sure if you have one of the defective chests of drawers or dressers, check the underside of the top panel or inside of the side panel for manufacturing identification information. If you have one of these chests of drawers or dressers, you need to stop using it immediately, and put it somewhere that children cannot get access to it. Take it to Ikea for a refund or get it repaired.
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