Ikea Recalls 820,000 Dressers That Could Tip Over and Crush Young Children
Ikea Recalls 820,000 Dressers That Could Tip Over and Crush Young Children
Ikea is recalling 820,000 dressers, which are at risk of tipping over and crushing small children, adding to the 17.3 million dressers recalled by the furniture retail giant in 2016. According to USA Today news report, this new recall announced by Ikea and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is for the company’s three-drawer Kullen dresser.
The CPSC has urged those who own the Kullen dresser to immediately stop using it if it is not properly anchored to a wall. Consumers who have these products at home are urged to order a wall anchoring kit from Ikea or return the dressers for a full refund either by bringing them to the store or by arranging a pickup by Ikea. The Kullen dresser weighs about 45 pounds and is just shy of 29 inches tall. Ikea said the dresser was sold from April 2005 to December 2019.
Injuries and Deaths
Ikea dressers have been linked to the deaths of at least nine children and dozens of injuries. So far, Ikea said it has received six reports of tip-overs involving the three-drawer Kullen chests. Two of those incidents involved minor injuries. The announcement comes two months after Ikea agreed to pay $46 million to the parents of an Orange County toddler who died in 2017 when one of the company’s dressers tipped over and crushed him. His parents said they did not know the dresser was recalled and blamed Ikea for not doing more to raise awareness about the danger.
Nearly all dressers have the potential to tip over, but the ones recalled by Ikea are particularly dangerous because they do not meet the minimum federal standard for safety design. That standard, when met, ensures dressers remain upright when 50 pounds, meant to simulate the pull of a child, is hung on an extended drawer. However, this is only a voluntary safety standard. Ikea’s dressers did not meet this standard. According to the CPSC, a child dies once every two weeks in the United States when a television or appliance falls on them. About 28,000 people are injured in tip-overs every year and more than half of these victims are children.
What Steps Can You Take?
So, what should parents and caregivers do if they own a recalled dresser?
First and foremost, if the dresser is not anchored to the wall, make sure children cannot reach it. While recalls allow people to keep or return the item, safety advocates strongly recommend that these items be removed from homes because of the concern that they will not be anchored or that they may later be used by someone else who is not aware of the recall. If you want to keep the dresser, please make sure it is anchored to the wall. Ikea will provide a free wall anchoring kit that you can install yourself. If you are not able to do that, Ikea will send someone to your home to attach it for you at no cost.
If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of a defective dresser, it is important to understand that you have legal rights and options. Contact an experienced California product defect lawyer who will ensure that you receive maximum compensation for your losses and that the negligent product manufacturer is held accountable.
