Key takeaways: Tip-overs of furniture, TVs, and appliances seriously injure and kill young children every year, according to the CPSC. Anchor dressers, bookcases, and TVs to the wall, mount flat-screen TVs or anchor them, and don’t place tempting items on top of furniture. A federal standard under the STURDY Act now applies to new clothing storage units.
As babies begin pulling up and climbing, tip-overs become a real danger.
How Tip-Overs Happen
- Children climb open drawers or shelves.
- Children pull on furniture to stand.
- TVs on dressers or unstable stands fall.
- Children reach for items on top of furniture.
What to Anchor
- Dressers and chests of drawers.
- Bookcases and shelves.
- TVs: wall-mount flat screens, or anchor them to the stand and the stand to the wall.
- Entertainment centers.
- Appliances like ranges (use anti-tip brackets).
How to Anchor
- Use anti-tip kits (straps or brackets) that attach furniture to the wall.
- Attach to wall studs when possible.
- Follow product instructions.
Other Safety Tips
- Put heavy items on lower shelves.
- Don’t put toys or remotes on top of furniture.
- Install drawer stops so drawers can’t be pulled all the way out.
- Avoid placing TVs on dressers.
- Keep cords out of reach.
The STURDY Act
The Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth (STURDY) Act, passed in 2022, required a mandatory federal stability standard for clothing storage units such as dressers. Older furniture may not meet it, so anchor it anyway.
The Bottom Line
Anchor furniture and TVs before your baby is mobile. It takes minutes and can save a life.
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Sources
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Anchor It! campaign; furniture tip-over information center. https://www.anchorit.gov
- Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth Act (STURDY Act). Public Law 117-328, 2022.
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Furniture tip-over prevention. HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Always talk with your baby’s health care provider or your own provider about your specific situation. If you think your baby or you may have a medical emergency, call 911.
