Homestar North America has recalled 33,000 Finch 3-drawer dressers because they pose a tip-over hazard that poses a risk of serious injury, entrapment, or death for children. According to an alert issued by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), no injuries were reported due to these products. Still, the recalled dressers can be unstable if not anchored to the wall. The model number and “Homestar North America” are printed on a label on the back of the dressers.
The dressers were sold online on Amazon.com, Hayneedle.com, Overstock.com, Walmart.com, and other online retailers from January 2016 through May 2019 for about $90. Consumers are urged to stop using the recalled dressers that are not properly anchored to the wall and place them in an area children cannot access. Homestar is offering a free tip-over restraint kit and a one-time free in-home installation of the kit. For more information, contact Homestar toll-free at 877-353-5999.
Tip-Over Statistics
According to the CPSC’s latest report, 459 children have died from tip-over incidents since 2000 in the United States. About 67% of child tip-over fatalities since 2000 involved children between 1 and 3.5 years old, and 83% of child tip-over fatalities since 2000 involved children from 1 month to 14 years old.
An estimated average of 12,500 children have been injured and treated at an emergency department due to furniture and television tip-over incidents each year from 2016 to 2018. Every 43 minutes, a child in the United States is injured in a television of furniture tip-over incident. About every 12 days, someone died when a television, a piece of furniture or an appliance falls on him or her.
Tips for Prevention
There are number of steps parents and caregivers can do to prevent these tragedies:
- Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when it comes to installation.
- Attach large furniture, such as dressers or bookshelves, to the wall with safety straps, L-brackets, or other strong attachment devices.
- Don’t store objects attractive to children such as toys or remote controls, on top of a piece of furniture because a child might attempt to climb them in order to get them.
- Prevent children from pulling drawers more than two-thirds of the way out by installing stops. Pulled-out drawers can shift the weight of a large dresser and cause it to fall over.
- Children should be instructed to never climb into, stand inside, or hang on drawers, doors or shelves.
- When buying furniture, look for cabinets or chests that are made well. Drawers should open and close smoothly without sticking.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to a dangerous or defective product, please contact an experienced product defect lawyer who can help you better understand your legal rights and options.
Source: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/homestar-recalls-dressers-due-to-tip-over-and-entrapment-hazards-recall-alert
