Homestar Recalls 3-Drawer Dressers for Tip-Over Hazard
Homestar Recalls 3-Drawer Dressers for Tip-Over Hazard
Homestar North America has recalled 33,000 Finch 3-drawer dressers because they pose a tip-over hazard that poses a risk of serious injury, entrapment or death for children. According to an alert issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), no injuries were reported as a result of these products, but the recalled dressers can be unstable if they are not anchored to the wall. The model number and “Homestar North America” are printed on a label on the back of the dressers.
The dressers were sold online on Amazon.com, Hayneedle.com, Overstock.com, Walmart.com and other online retailers from January 2016 through May 2019 for about $90. Consumers are urged to stop using the recalled dressers that are not properly anchored to the wall and place them in an area that children cannot access. Homestar is offering a free tip-over restraint kit and a one-time free in-home installation of the kit. For more information, contact Homestar toll-free at 877-353-5999.
Tip-Over Statistics
According to the CPSC’s latest report, 459 children have died from tip-over incidents since 2000 in the United States. About 67% of child tip-over fatalities since 2000 involved children between 1 and 3.5 years old and 83% of child tip-over fatalities since 2000 involve children 1 month to 14 years old.
An estimated average of 12,500 children have been injured and treated at an emergency department due to furniture and television tip-over incidents each year from 2016 to 2018. Every 43 minutes, a child in the United States is injured from a television of furniture tip-over incident. About every 12 days, someone died when a television, a piece of furniture or an appliance falls on him or her.
Tips for Prevention
There are number of steps parents and caregivers can do to prevent these tragedies:
- Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when it comes to installation.
- Attach large furniture such as dressers or bookshelves to the wall with safety straps, L-brackets or other strong attachment devices.
- Don’t store objects attractive to children such as toys or remote controls on top of a piece of furniture because a child might attempt to climb them in order to get them.
- Prevent children from pulling drawers more than two-thirds of the way out by installing stops. Pulled-out drawers can shift the weight of a large dresser and cause it to fall over.
- Children should be instructed to never climb into, stand inside or hang on drawers, doors or shelves.
- When buying furniture, look for cabinets or chests that are made well. Drawers should open and close smoothly without sticking.
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a dangerous or defective product, please contact an experienced product defect lawyer who can help you better understand your legal rights and options.
