A tall bookcase or a heavy chest of drawers looks solid enough when it is standing still. The trouble starts when a small child pulls out a drawer, climbs a shelf or reaches for something on top. Furniture and televisions can tip over in seconds. The good news is that the ACCC says installing anchors is not difficult.
The ACCC says toppling furniture has killed at least 28 people in Australia since 2000. It also causes nearly 20 injuries every week. Children under five are the most at risk of serious harm.
Why furniture and TVs tip over
The ACCC says most freestanding furniture is unstable to some degree. When drawers are pulled out or doors are opened, the weight moves forward and the base can lift. A child using drawers as steps adds even more weight at the front. Large televisions sitting on a narrow stand or a dresser can come down the same way.
The injuries are not minor. The ACCC lists broken or dislocated bones, head and brain injuries, crush injuries, suffocation and asphyxiation. Even well behaved children may climb to reach something they want. That is why anchoring is worth doing in every home with young children.
Which pieces to secure first
Start with the tallest and heaviest items in rooms that children use. A mandatory information standard for toppling furniture now applies to many of these products in Australia. It covers freestanding bookcases, chests of drawers, wardrobes, cabinets and entertainment units. It also covers unsecured televisions, hall tables, buffets and sideboards.
Under the standard, suppliers and retailers must display warning labels in store, online and on the furniture itself. Those labels are a good prompt, but older pieces will not carry them. The ACCC notes that anchors suit older and secondhand furniture too. So that op shop dresser or the wardrobe you inherited should be on your list as well.
How to anchor furniture to the wall
The ACCC Product Safety advice on anchoring furniture suggests furniture straps, angle braces or anchors screwed into the wall. If a product came with its own anchors, use them and follow the supplier’s instructions. Straps and brackets are sold at hardware stores. Staff there can help you pick fasteners that suit the walls in your home.
Put the furniture on a flat, firm surface before you fix it in place. The ACCC warns against standing tall pieces on soft or uneven carpet or rugs. If a spill on your carpet means you are moving furniture around anyway, our guide on cleaning spilled milk from your carpet covers that job. Once the piece is back in place, fit the anchor before anything goes back in the drawers.
Televisions need their own attention. The ACCC suggests anchor straps that fix the TV to the wall or to a stable entertainment unit. Wall mounting is another option. Do not sit a TV on furniture that was never made to hold one.
Simple habits that cut the risk
Anchoring does most of the work, but a few everyday habits help too. Most of them cost nothing. These come from the ACCC’s consumer advice:
- Keep heavy items in the lower drawers and on the lower shelves.
- Do not put heavy or tempting items, such as favourite toys, on top of furniture.
- Fit locking devices to drawers so children cannot use them as steps.
- Discourage children from climbing furniture.
- Keep unstable furniture away from the areas where children play.
Storage habits matter here as well. A wardrobe crammed with heavy boxes up high is harder to keep stable. If you are short on room, the pros and cons of renting a storage unit may be worth weighing up. Clearing bulky items out of bedrooms can make the whole space safer.
Buying new furniture with stability in mind
The safest piece is one that is stable from the start. The ACCC suggests choosing furniture with sturdy backing and a low, broad base. Check for the required warning labels and plan where the piece will go and how it will be anchored. Ask whether anchoring equipment is included, and buy a kit if it is not.
In the shop, pull out the top drawers or open the doors and apply light pressure to test stability. Look for drawer stops and interlocks that stop drawers falling out or several opening at once. Tell the staff if you have young children. They can point you to safer options.
Anchoring during a move or a renovation
Moving house is a natural time to deal with this. Furniture comes apart, walls are bare and you can fit anchors before the rooms fill up again. Our tips for keeping fragile items intact during your house move can help with the rest of the packing. Keep any anchor kits and screws in a labelled bag so they do not go missing in transit.
Renovations are another good moment. If it is time to update your bathroom, think about any freestanding cabinets or towel shelves going back in. Tall units in a small room can be bumped and pulled on just like a bedroom chest. Securing them while the walls are open is often easier.
A note for renters
Renters often worry about drilling holes. The ACCC suggests speaking to your landlord or agent about wall anchors and offering to remove them at the end of the tenancy. Its earlier advice also suggests explaining why you want them, offering to repair any damage and getting the approval in writing. The ACCC says laws in Western Australia, New South Wales and Victoria make this easier, so check the rules in your state or territory.
Frequently asked questions
Does furniture sold in Australia have to carry tip over warnings?
Many types of furniture are now covered by a mandatory information standard. The ACCC says warning labels must be displayed in store, online and on the furniture. The rules cover items such as chests of drawers, wardrobes, bookcases and entertainment units.
Can I anchor old or secondhand furniture?
Yes. The ACCC says anchors suit older and secondhand furniture as well as new pieces. Hardware store staff can help you choose straps or brackets that suit both the furniture and your walls.
Is a TV safe on top of a chest of drawers?
The ACCC advises against placing a TV on furniture that is not designed for it. Use anchor straps to fix the TV to the wall or to a stable entertainment unit. You could also have it wall mounted.
What should I do if a product seems unsafe?
You can report a product that is unsafe or does not comply with the mandatory standard to the ACCC through its Product Safety website. Stop using the item until it has been checked or secured. In an emergency, call Triple Zero.
Anchoring a few key pieces takes little time and costs very little. Start with the tallest furniture and the TVs in rooms where children spend time, then work through the rest of the house.
