Since 2000, 27 Australians have been killed by falling furniture. 20 of them were children under the age of seven.

Every Australian wants their home to be a safe and enjoyable place, says Dr. Warwick Teague. However, as the director of trauma services at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, he sees a child being admitted every month because the furniture in the house has been tipped over.

All age groups are at risk of injury from the weight of furniture and televisions, but especially children under five years of age. Teague explains that because of their short stature, the furniture can overwhelm them, which can injure them from head to toe.

Australian consumer law does not provide mandatory safety or information standards specifically designed to prevent the risk of injury from tipping over furniture and televisions. However, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is currently examining possible regulatory options. Consumer watchdogs made overturning furniture and televisions one of their product safety priorities for 2021 and published a briefing paper on the issue last week.

The paper identified three key safety factors that can affect the likelihood of furniture tipping over: product design, furniture anchoring, and consumer behavior. Delia Rickard, the ACCC Vice-Chair, says these issues need to be looked at together. "There is no one-size-fits-all solution for this, we have to look at the design, we have to make it easier to anchor furniture and raise awareness of behaviors that can lead to accidents."

While formalized regulations are yet to be enacted, Guardian Australia has spoken to the experts about security measures that can be taken now.

Think about product design

The ACCC Issues Report says furniture is more stable when it's shorter, wider, deeper, and heavier on the floor: the furniture your grandmother gave you could be this sturdy type. "Modern, light flat pack furniture like Ikea bookcases and cabinets are much lighter and don't necessarily have a heavy base. So if you don't tie them up, there's a chance they'll fall off, "says Rickard.

Christine Erskine, Executive Officer at Kidsafe NSW, says the trend towards narrow TVs is more dangerous for children because "little fingers can become very easy to wrap around these TVs". Photo: Elizabeth Beard / Getty Images

The same goes for televisions. As televisions get thinner and larger, the ACCC report says that the stability of the pedestal becomes more important when it is not mounted on a wall.

In the past two years, at least nine products have been recalled because of their risk of tipping. The full list is available on the Product Safety website.

Anchoring if possible

Furniture and television anchoring kits secure an item by either screwing or strapping it to the wall or other secure surface. According to the ACCC spending report, furniture should ideally be designed to be stable when freestanding, but an anchor can help keep furniture from falling if it tips over.

Try looking for furniture that comes with anchoring kits or straps to save yourself the trip to the hardware store. Christine Erskine, executive officer at Kidsafe NSW, says many people don't know that TVs and furniture come with a strap and throw it away, but advises "if there is a strap, use it".

Rickard suggests that "the bolt, the piece of wood behind the wall, is the safest place to anchor because it is the most stable". She says you can find it by "tapping the wood with your knuckles until you find a slightly different, less hollow sound".

If you're having issues with the anchoring equipment, Rickard suggests that you turn to YouTube for instructional videos or outsource the task to a professional handyman. You can also find other practical instructions online, for example Ikea has developed instructions for anchoring your furniture.

Anchoring for tenants

A poll by consumer group Choice found that many tenants have not secured furniture in their homes because their landlord has not allowed it, and Erin Turner, campaign director at Choice, says many renters are afraid to ask for it.

But laws are changing to help tenants anchor furniture. The death of a Perth toddler who was crushed by a dresser after the family landlord refused to anchor the item resulted in Western Australia passing new laws in 2019. Changes to rental laws in New South Wales and Victoria have also allowed tenants to secure furniture for security reasons.

Erskine emphasizes that the fair trading departments of each state and territory will have their own regulations regarding tenants' rights, which include home security. She says you have to ask for permission to put something on the wall or screw anything, but the landlords have a duty to make sure you have a safe place to live.

Teague says that anchoring furniture can be done in such a way that the wall is not destroyed, but at the end of the day "no wall is more important than the child".

Think about the placement of furniture

The ACCC Spend Report also highlights that your own choices about placement and use can help prevent accidents.

  • Placing furniture on thick or uneven carpets increases the risk of tipping over.

  • Do not place heavy objects, such as televisions, on furniture that is not designed to support the weight – this will make both units more unstable.

  • Keep your heaviest items in the drawers and shelves at the bottom. "Your Encyclopaedia Britannica will definitely be on the bottom shelf," says Teague.

  • Use furniture as intended. Avoid leaning on furniture or standing on chairs and tables for support.

Do not climb into temptation

A child reaches for a toy on a tall bookshelf (staged photo)."The more interesting the shelves, the more exciting it is for the child to climb," says Erskine. Photo: Cavan Images / Getty Images / Cavan Images RF

Many injuries are caused by children climbing furniture. The ACCC spending report states that "the weight of a child standing on an open drawer or shelf shifts the center of gravity forward, increasing the risk of tipping over."

Erskine says: "The more interesting the shelves, the more exciting it is for the child to climb". Do not place items such as toys and lollipops on tall open shelves that could encourage a child to climb.

Teague says the most common age group he sees with injuries from falling furniture are children under the age of three. "This appeals to the very curious but now mobile little child who is exploring the world without being able to understand the risks involved."

"Nurses need to be able to explore," says Teague. "As an adult, I can act positively and decisively when buying an item to assess the risk of tipping, look for ways to secure it, or consider options that are less prone to tipping."

source https://seapointrealtors.com/2021/08/07/the-tipping-point-how-to-safeguard-your-home-from-falling-furniture-homes/

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