Joybird, a furniture company, has recalled its Blythe line of dressers because the products failed to comply with voluntary stability standards and are not stable if they are not anchored to the wall, posing tip-over and entrapment hazards that could lead to death or serious injuries to young children. According to Consumer Reports, the recall involves about 100 units of Joybird’s Blythe dressers. The dresser, which weighs about 200 pounds, measures about 66 inches wide, 18 inches deep and is 37.5 inches high.
Details of the Recall
Stickers on the back of each recalled dresser say “Stitch Industries Inc.,” the month and year of manufacture, and “TSCA Title VI Compliant.” The dressers were sold online at Joybird.com from October 2017 through July 2019 for about $1,700. So far no injuries or fatalities have been reported as a result of these dressers. The company is offering a free pickup of the dresser and a full refund.
Consumers can also contact the company for a free in-home repair to the dresser’s legs or a free one-time, in-home installation of a tip-over resistant kit by a technician plus a $50 gift card to be used on Joybird’s website. Consumers who are unable to contact the company or take advantage of the recall during the coronavirus pandemic are asked to stop using the dressers and place them in a room that children cannot access.
The Danger of Non-Compliant Dressers
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), one person is injured about every 20 minutes, and one child dies about every two weeks when a piece of furniture or an appliance falls on them. Thousands of these tragic incidents that result in injuries and deaths involve dressers.
This recall from Joybird comes at a time when the U.S. Senate is considering legislation called Stop Tip-Overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth (STURDY) Act. This legislation would require the CPSC to create a mandatory federal rule for dressers that is tougher than the industry’s current standard, which is voluntary. The House of Representatives has already passed this legislation, but it has stalled at the Senate.
If you have a recalled dresser in your home, it is best to stop using it immediately and put it away where your child cannot access it. If you can contact the manufacturer, it would be best to receive a refund for your product so you can purchase a safer one, or order a repair kit so you can continue to use the same product. If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a defective dresser, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an experienced product defect lawyer for more information about pursuing your legal rights.
Source: https://www.consumerreports.org/recalls/joybird-recalls-dressers-due-to-tip-over-risk/
