Ikea is recalling 27 million chests and dressers due to a tip-over hazard that resulted in the death of two children because the units were not attached to the wall, the retailer and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced on Wednesday, according to USA Today.
Two children were killed after furniture from Ikea's MALM product line fell on them last year. A 2-year-old toddler from West Chester, Pa. died "after a Malm 6-drawer chest tipped over and pinned him against the bed," and another infant was trapped and killed by a 3-drawer Malm chest, according to a press release from the CPSC.
The retail giant and CPSC have also received other reports of injuries from tip-over incidents involving MALM furniture. Since 1989, Ikea has been aware of three other reported deaths caused by other models of chests and drawers tipping-over.
Unlike a more traditional recall, customers are not asked to return the products, but instead order a free wall anchoring repair kit. The CPSC is warning customers against the use of all of Ikea's children's furniture taller than 23.5 inches and adult furniture taller than 29.5 inchess, without attaching the product to the wall with the repair kit, according to The Huffington Post.
"A child dies every two weeks and a child is injured every 24 minutes in the U.S. from furniture or TVs tipping over," the report reads. "To help prevent injuries and deaths, CPSC and IKEA urge consumers to securely anchor furniture and TVs to prevent these tragedies and make their home a safer place."
