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Safety concerns about dangerous dressers
Is there a dangerous product hidden in your child’s bedroom? It could be the dresser you use every day. Many dressers are safer than before thanks to new safety standards, but older models can still pose a deadly risk. Consumer Reports describes what you need to know to keep your kids safe.
Is there a dangerous product hidden in your child’s bedroom? It could be the dresser you use every day.
Many dressers are safer than before thanks to new safety standards, but older models can still pose a deadly risk.
Consumer Reports describes what you need to know to keep your kids safe.
For years, fallen furniture has injured and even killed far too many children.
Parent Kimberly Amato says, “Our family woke up on the morning of December 18, 2004 to every parent’s nightmare.
Our beautiful three-year-old twin daughter Megan was found lifeless under her dresser.
It had passed on to her.”
Since her tragic loss, Kimberly and other parents have been fighting for change.
They finally won a hard-fought victory when the STURDY Act passed late last year, imposing stricter regulations on furniture manufacturers to prevent collapses.
The good news is that all CR-tested dressers made after September 2023 passed the rigorous tilt tests, and Kimberly is happy with it.
Consumer Reports tests include pulling out the drawers and hanging 60-pound weights from one of the top drawers for at least 10 seconds, simulating a child climbing or hanging on the furniture.
If the dresser stays upright, it will pass.
But that doesn’t mean every dresser in every bedroom is safe.
Older dressers that are prone to falling over are still on the market. In fact, two dressers manufactured before September 2023 failed CR’s recent tests.
Both Ashley and Bassett confirmed that their dressers were built before the new standard came into effect.
The new rule only applies to sideboards built after September 1, 2023.
Anything built before that date does not have to meet the new requirements, but can still be sold.
The reactions from retailers are mixed. Ikea announced in April that all of its U.S. dressers now meet the new standard, while Bassett Furniture told CR that 10 to 20 percent of dressers currently sold were built before September 2023.
Target said it expects all dressers sold to pass the new tilt tests, and Amazon said all of its dressers comply with the STURDY Act.
So, what does this mean for you? If you’re shopping for a dresser, shop in person.
Ask when the dresser was made and whether it meets the requirements of the STURDY Act. For online shoppers, look for a production date after September 1, 2023.
Even if the furniture meets STURDY standards, you should always use the anchor set that comes with your dresser; this is now legally required.
Kimberly says, “I can’t think of a better way to honor Maggie’s legacy and that of all PAT children than to know that this standard we fought so hard for is working.”
Other retailers contacted by CR include Wayfair, which said it’s possible some of the dressers it sells were made before September 2023. Costco and Walmart did not respond.
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