The ACCC is urging parents and carers to anchor unstable furniture and large TVs, as part of an international safety campaign to prevent infant deaths and serious injuries.
From 6 to 12 November 2017, we are participating in the international awareness week for toppling furniture safety, which is being led by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and jointly coordinated by the ACCC and Health Canada.
This global campaign aims to raise consumer awareness about the dangers of toppling furniture. Consumers are urged to install anchoring devices, consider carefully how they load furniture with heavy items, and choose stable furniture and televisions if they have young children.
Consumers and suppliers are encouraged to join the conversation on social media.
Key safety tips to consider are:
- secure TVs and furniture with anchoring devices
- purchase low-set furniture or furniture with sturdy, stable and deep bases
- install child-resistant drawer locks to prevent drawers from being opened and climbed on.
Hazards
Small children tend to climb on furniture such as freestanding bookcases, drawers, wardrobes and sideboards, and if the furniture is unsecured the child's weight can cause it to topple.
Falling furniture can not only strike a child but can trap and crush them underneath, causing the child to suffocate.
Nationally, at least 22 children under the age of 9 have died in Australia from toppling furniture or televisions since 2001. Children under 3 are at the greatest risk.
An estimated 2600 Australians receive hospital treatment for injuries caused by toppling furniture and televisions each year (equating to approximately 50 per week). Injuries include:
- broken bones
- brain injuries
- blunt force trauma
- crushed chest cavities
- death by asphyxiation.
Accidents in Australia
The ACCC commissioned research in April 2015 on consumer awareness of furniture stability risks and prevention. Specifically, the research focused on the particular dangers of common furniture in homes with children under the age of five.
Among other findings, the research showed that of parents who had experienced a dangerous toppling incident (27%), almost a quarter of those said the child was injured in the incident - although the majority of injuries were minor - and most had experienced a near-miss.
The full research report is available at Consumer awareness of furniture stability risks and prevention.
Safety tips
Buy safe
- Purchase low-set furniture or furniture with sturdy, stable and broad bases.
- Look for furniture that comes with safety information or equipment for anchoring it to the walls.
- Test the furniture in the shop - make sure it is stable. For example, pull out top drawers of a chest of drawers and apply a little pressure to see how stable it is; make sure the drawers do not fall out easily.
Use safe
- Attach, mount, bolt or otherwise secure furniture to walls and floors.
- Do not put heavy items on top shelves of bookcases.
- Secure televisions to the wall.
- Discourage small children from climbing on furniture.
- Do not put tempting items such as favourite toys on top of furniture that encourage children to climb up and reach.
- Do not place unstable furniture near where children play.
- Put locking devices on all drawers to prevent children opening them and using them as steps.
Watch our video
Video transcript
VISION: Footage of a fallen chest of drawers fades into view.
NARRATOR: Toppling furniture kills one child every year in Australia. Furniture retailers may provide customers with angle braces, anchors or furniture straps, as well as instructions on securing furniture to brick walls studs or floors.
VISION: A number of different devices such as anchors, straps and locking devices are shown installed, or being installed on various furniture items.
NARRATOR: Locking devices can also prevent children using draws as steps. Retailers or hardware stores can supply suitable devices to their customers.
VISION: A fallen display table is shown in a hallway, with items strewn about.
NARRATOR: Since 2001, 22 children under the age of nine died after household furniture fell on them. Retailers can offer advice to customers about purchasing stable furniture.
VISION: Footage of a furniture strap being installed to a display table. The table is tilted to test its stability as the strap holds it in place.
NARRATOR: It's important for consumers to get this information at the point of sale.
VISION: Footage of a television that has fallen off the entertainment unit face down.
NARRATOR: Be aware of furniture items and televisions that could easily crush children. A TV or piece of furniture might look stable but could topple if pushed or grabbed by a child.
VISION: Straps and hooks are installed to the entertainment unit and television in order to secure it. The TV is then tested for stability.
After a fade out, we see a soft toy sitting atop a chest of drawers. A small hand reaches for the soft toy, and the drawers appear to wobble.
NARRATOR: Avoid placing heavy objects or items attractive to children on top of furniture. You can secure TVs to the wall or the entertainment unit.
Be sure to prevent children from climbing furniture. Identifying the risks is key to their safety.
TEXT: productsafety.gov.au/topplingfurniture
NARRATOR: Visit the ACCC Product Safety website, or contact your state or territory consumer protection agency for more information.