IKEA recalls millions of dressers, chests following deaths

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Ikea, the Swedish furniture manufacturer, has voluntarily recalled 29 million chests and dressers after at least six children have been crushed to death by toppling furniture.

Ikea has voluntarily recalled 29 million chests and dressers after at least six children have been crushed to death by toppling furniture.

36 others were hurt by the dressers, which tend to tip over if they are not anchored to the wall, according to IKEA.com.

The recall affects children’s chests and dressers taller than 23.5 inches and adult chests and dressers taller than 29.5 inches that do not meet the performance requirements of the U.S. voluntary industry standard.

The recalled MALM chests and dressers were manufactured and sold through June 2016 and include the 3-drawer, 4-drawer, 5-drawer and 6-drawer models.

Other IKEA chests and dressers in this recall were sold at various times through June 2016. 

For a complete list of recalled chests and dressers, click HERE.

 

The Swedish retailer has stopped selling most of its Malm collection, reported the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Curren Collas, 2, of West Chester, Pennsylvania, died February 2014 after a six-drawer Malm chest tipped over, pinning him against his bed, reported the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Camden Ellis, 2, of Snohomish, Washington, died four months later after a three-drawer Malm chest also tipped over.

Ted McGee, 22 months old, of Apple Valley, Minnesota, died crushed by a Malm dresser in his bedroom in February, the family's attorneys told the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Dressers manufactured between 2002 and 2016 are eligible for full refunds.  Those with pieces made before 2002 can receive partial store credit. 

For a full or partial refund, click HERE.

Free wall anchors for the dressers and free installation is also offered by the furniture manufacturing giant.

For a free wall-anchoring kit and for more information on the recall, click HERE.

To learn how to secure your chest or drawers, watch this video:

Every two weeks a child dies in the U.S. from furniture, appliances or TVs tipping over, according to the CPSC.

IKEA has shared the following tips on preventing tip-over injuries and deaths:

● Secure it! Furniture must be securely attached to the wall. Use the tip-over restraint provided with the product and the right hardware for your wall type. Consult our wall anchoring guide for help.

● Never put a TV or other heavy objects on top of a chest of drawers or any furniture not intended for use with a TV.

● Place heavy objects in the lowest drawers.

● Never let children climb or hang on drawers, doors or shelves.