CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced a consumer alert Friday to inform Illinois parents and caregivers of the risk of furniture tip-over accidents that have resulted in recalls, injuries and deaths.
Madigan issued the alert as part of a statewide awareness campaign with Kids in Danger and other advocates to the risks of tip-over accidents. Injuries and deaths occurred among children after climbing on unsecured furniture, including night stands, dressers and bookshelves.
Dressers made by Gemme Juvenile and Bexco were part of a nationwide recall last week. A Barrington toddler died in 2011 after attempting to climb up one of the dressers. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's recalls highlight the inherent risk of tip-over accidents.
"It's important for parents to know that unsecured, heavy furniture falling over on a child causes preventable injuries and deaths so that they can secure dressers, bookcases, stoves and televisions in their homes," Madigan said.
An estimated 22,800 U.S. children under the age of nine go to emergency rooms annually because of injuries caused by unsecured appliances, televisions or furniture.
Madigan urged families to follow CPSC guidelines, including anchoring furniture to the wall of floor, keeping television and cable cords out of reach, ensuring that freestanding stoves and kitchen ranges are installed with anti-tip brackets, and anchoring furniture and televisions on their base.
Madigan announced the campaign for awareness as part of her Illinois Safe Home Coalition which was created to educate the public about product safety dangers.
Illinois AG alerts consumers about furniture tip-over accidents
