Prepac has recalled a 4-drawer chest because of a tip-over hazard that could cause serious or even fatal injuries to young children. According to an alert posted by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the company recalled about 21,000 Prepac 4-drawer chests because they pose a safety hazard to children. The recall notice said that the chests are unstable and could tip over if they are not anchored to the wall. This poses tip-over and entrapment hazards that could result in injury or death to children.
Information about the Recalled Products
The recall includes Prepac 4-drawer chests with plastic drawer glides. They were sold in three finishes: black, oak and white. Consumers who have this type of furniture at home are asked to stop using them right away if they are not properly anchored to the wall and contact the company for a free tip-over restraint kit.
Consumers can also ask for a one-time, free, in-home installation of the wall anchor strap. The recalled chests were sold online at Overstock.com, Target.com, Amazon.com and other online retailers from April 2005 through September 2008 for about $75. Those with questions are asked to contact Prepac at 1-877-773-7221.
Furniture Dangers
Tip-over hazards linked to unstable products such as televisions, furniture, and appliances in homes continue to pose a significant threat, especially to little children. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that a child dies at a frequency of every two weeks because of a television, furniture or appliance falling on him or her. Also, 25,400 children are injured annually or about three children each hour in such accidents. Infants and toddlers ages 1 to 3, are particularly at risk and account for 51 percent of the fatalities. Falling furniture and television sets have been linked to a majority (70 percent) of the injury incidents.
There are steps that parents can take in order to protect children from falling furniture. Make sure you buy furniture with wide legs or solid bases. Install drawer stops on chests and drawers. Be sure to strap such furniture to the wall with safety straps or L-brackets. Never leave out items such as toys that might attract a child’s attention, on top of a piece of furniture. Wall-mount flat-screen TVs and place heavy items close to the floor on shelves. If a dangerous or defective product has injured your child, contact an experienced product defect attorney to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.
Source: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/prepac-recalls-4-drawer-chests-due-to-tip-over-and-entrapment-hazards-in-home-remedy
