IKEA recalls 27 million chests, dressers after the deaths of 2 children

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: USA Today via AL.com, the Alabama Media Group



Furniture from the MALM series at IKEA. (IKEA)

By Amber Sutton | [email protected]
on July 22, 2015 at 11:03 AM, updated July 22, 2015 at 11:04 AM

IKEA is recalling 27 million chests and dressers after two children died last year from being crushed by the furniture pieces from the store, reports USA Today.

The furniture company and Consumer Product Safety Commission said they will now offer a free wall anchoring kit that consumers who own chests and dressers from the store can pick up or order.

In 2014, a 2-year-old was killed when a MALM-style six-drawer dresser from IKEA tipped over and another child was killed after a three-drawer dresser fell over and crushed him. There are also several reports of chests tipping over that did not result in death. IKEA is hopeful these free repair kits will prevent any further accidents.

The MALM-style chests and other IKEA furniture pieces that are part of the repair program range from about $80 to $200. Consumers can receive a free wall-anchoring kit by visiting a store, registering here, or calling toll-free 888-966-4532.

Read the full report on USA Today here.

Read more: http://www.al.com/news/montgomery/index.ssf/2015/07/ikea_recalls_27_million_chests.html

[Journeyman]

1. Wonder how they handle it if someone in a rental can't put holes in the wall? . . .

That question's raised in the article but not addressed.

[silverweb]

4. California may be different, but...

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]I've managed an apartment complex in San Diego and currently manage a slightly larger one in Sacramento, and tenants are perfectly free to attach things to the walls.

The only catch is that tenants must properly fill any holes before they leave. Touch-up paint by management is considered "routine maintenance," so isn't supposed to be charged back to the tenant leaving.

Furniture attachment is perfectly okay and is even encouraged - especially here, where stability in case of earthquake is a concern.

[Journeyman]

6. Yes, most places I've been in California allow holes, but I've had friends here in California. . .

tell me they would lose their security deposit if they put holes in the walls. They had to use the tape-type fasteners to hang pictures. Screwy, I know, especially in earthquake country.

[silverweb]

8. That is screwy.

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]And I have news for landlords who insist on those tape things: They're pretty worthless and also screw up the paint.

Actually, now I'm curious to know if there's any law covering attachment of furniture in particularly quake-prone areas. Imagine the potential for a lawsuit if someone died or was crippled because they weren't allowed to securely attach a piece to protect it from falling!

Have to look into that....

[perdita9]

2. Guns will never be recalled no matter how many children they kill

[onehandle]

3. 'Killing children are what they are designed for, therefore they work perfectly.'

Just pre-translating for the first gun apologist to show up.

[valerief]

9. Boom! There are plenty of cops who need to be recalled, too. nt

[Kablooie]

12. Gun companies aren't based in Sweden.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

14. IKEA guns would be perfectly safe ...

... nobody could follow the strange instructions on how to load them.

[enlightenment]

5. I'm confused.

The original instructions for the Malm line include a wall-anchoring kit for the tall pieces - with instructions on how to use it.

Why does the company need to recall the pieces? If people choose not to follow the instructions, it's not the fault of the company that sells the furniture. If people CAN'T do it, because of rental agreements, then they shouldn't buy tall pieces of furniture.

Seems like the company is being penalized because the consumers' lack common sense.

[hugo_from_TN]

7. I agree

I've bought many items from Ikea and anything over about 2.5 feet tall always has an anchoring kit included.

[CreekDog]

11. So you're saying people should read the instructions inside the box before buying.

Welp, I don't think I need to spend much time reading any of your other posts if that's the kind of logic and thoughtfulness they display.

[Nihil]

13. Looks like you didn't "spend much time reading" that post either.

He/she was saying that as the means of securing the furniture was already
supplied - complete with instructions - but not followed by the consumer,
it is hardly Ikea's fault.

I agree but at least Ikea have got the right idea: It might not be their fault
but they are prepared to take the PR hit in order to try even harder to prevent
a recurrence.

Shame that two kids died for behaving like kids ...

[Gormy Cuss]

16. If an adequate wall-anchoring kit was supplied, why is IKEA now offering anchor kits?

I read the link and it said nothing about the MALM line already having an anchor kit. I helped a friend assemble a six-drawer MALM but that was seven years ago and I don't remember if there was one.

[enlightenment]

15. I'm just sorry that I can't

put this in the title block -

[TexasBushwhacker]

10. Kids will us chests like ladders

They pull them bottom drawer out and use it as a step, trying to get to something on top. This can happen with any tall chest, not just IKEA's. I remember a case where the parents kept a heavy CRT TV on top of a chest in their bedroom. One of their kids pulled out a drawer to use it as a step to get to the TV and turn it on. The whole thing tipped over and crushed the child.