Chilling Video of Dresser Tip-Over Illustrates Dangers of Unanchored Furniture
A father of young twins posted the video of the tip-over, which ended safely for the Utah brothers
A home video in which twin toddlers tip over a dresser, temporarily trapping one underneath, illustrates the dangers of furniture tip-overs. (The photo above is from the video.) The incident is a cautionary tale of why large pieces of furniture should be anchored to the wall, especially when small children are around. Neither twin was seriously injured in the accident.
How to Safely Anchor Furniture
- Buy and install low-cost anchoring devices to prevent TVs, dressers, bookcases, or other furniture from tipping.
- Avoid leaving items, such as remote controls and toys, in places where kids might be tempted to climb up to reach for them.
- Store heavier items on lower shelves or in lower drawers.
- Place TVs on a sturdy, low base and push them as far back as possible, particularly if anchoring is not possible.
- If purchasing a new TV, consider recycling older ones if they're not being used. If you move the older TV to another room, be sure it is anchored properly to the wall.
To see how to properly anchor your furniture or other items, go to the Anchor It! website, which features several how-to videos. When buying new furniture or appliances, ask whether anchors are included. If not, you can find low-cost anchors at most hardware and home improvement stores.
Keeping Kids Safe From Furniture Tip-Overs
A danger might be lurking right in your home. On the 'Consumer 101' TV show, Consumer Reports' expert Peter Anzalone explains to show host Jack Rico what consumers need to know about furniture tip-overs.
