Consumer Product Safety Commission says “safety alert”
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Swedish furniture conglomerate IKEA have issued a safety repair program for IKEA’s MALM 3- and 4-drawer chests and two styles of MALM 6- drawer chests, and other chests and dressers, following the deaths of two children in 2014.
According to a statement from the CPSC, buyers are being offered free repair kits to prevent tendencies for tipping over, which has already proven fatal. In response to the deaths, IKEA issued a safety campaign dubbed “Secure it!,” even though some are now saying the furniture has been recalled.
The statement from the CPSC and earlier reports from other news outlets did not categorize this latest issue a recall, instead opting for a safety alert and detailing the components of “Secure it!,” which IKEA had hoped would raise awareness of securing furniture to walls, per IKEA instructions. The less formal approach has IKEA offering to replace tip over restraints and anchoring kits for free, as opposed to halting production.
But USA Today and Mother Jones are now reporting that IKEA has officially recalled millions of drawers and chests, following the safety alert issued Wednesday by the CPSC, warning consumers to stop using IKEA children’s chests and dressers taller than 23.5 inches and adult chests and dressers taller than 29.5 inches, unless secured to the wall.
Recall or not, the old adage applies: buyer beware.