Recalled IKEA Dresser Killed Eight Children
I’m Ed Smith, a Wrongful Death Lawyer from Sacramento. Despite the recall issued last year, an eighth child has died as a result of an unsecured IKEA dresser falling over on him.
What Happened?
Two-year-old Jozef Dudek from Buena Park, California, was tragically crushed after an IKEA dresser fell over on top of him. The boy’s parents had put him down for a nap in their bedroom. Heartbreakingly, the boy died as a result of his injuries.
Our deepest sympathies and prayers are extended to the parents and loved ones of baby Jozef.
2015 Repair Program
After two toddlers were crushed in 2015 by the Malm dresser, IKEA issued a recall on nearly 27 million bedroom dressers, offering free wall anchoring kits through a “repair program” for customers. A similar death in 2016 prompted the company to reiterate the ongoing recall affecting dressers taller than 23.5 inches that do not meet “voluntary industry standards.”
Four Deaths in America
This tragic accident represents the fourth child killed by a falling IKEA dresser in the US since 2014. According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are over 25,000 injuries in children each year resulting from furniture or appliance-related falls.
- Curran Collas, A two-year-old from Pennsylvania, was killed in 2014 after trying to climb his Malm dresser’s open drawers, causing the unit to fall onto him.
- Another two-year-old from Washington, Camden Ellis, died four months later after a similar accident.
- In early 2015, Theodore “Ted” McGee from Minnesota was killed in the last reported death caused by an IKEA Malm dresser. He was 22 months old.
United States Consumer Product Safety Commission: Malm Recall
Tips for Anchoring Unstable Furniture
- Use Stable Furniture: While this might seem obvious, it bears overstating. The old adage, “the right tool for the job,” is a good rule of thumb- for example: place your television on a piece of furniture designed to hold a television.
- Anchor Your Television: An unstable TV can present a serious safety hazard. Televisions can be mounted in many different configurations- considering mounting your TV to a wall or securing its stand to prevent the unit from falling over.
- Identify Risks: Furniture that is top-heavy, like dressers or TVs, can present a fall risk and should be addressed right away. Always read the instructions when installing a new appliance or piece of furniture and make sure that all safety protocols are followed. Dressers can be inexpensively secured with brackets. If your child is likely to climb, you may also consider removing tempting objects.
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Sacramento Wrongful Death Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Sacramento. Have you or someone you love been injured in an accident? Call me anytime at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for confidential, free, and friendly advice with no obligation. I can also be reached online at www.AutoAccident.com.
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