Falling furniture can have devastating consequences but new safety laws are hoping that will change.
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The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced that furniture suppliers will be required to provide safety warnings about toppling furniture hazards.
The new information standard comes after 28 people, including 17 children under five, have died since 2000 from falling furniture.
Each year more than 900 Australians are injured from unstable furniture, with children up to four years and older individuals most at risk.
The ACCC said unsecured furniture such as chest of drawers, wardrobes, bookshelves, TV units and other tall items could topple over when young children tried to climb them.
The new information standard was made by Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones on May 3 and will push suppliers to detail safety warnings and advice on how to secure furniture before, during and after purchasing.
ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said the law was an important step to reducing death and injury.
"We know that young children and the elderly are most at risk of toppling furniture injuries, and the most common cause of death is head and crush injuries and asphyxiation."
"The new information standard will help increase awareness about toppling furniture risks, including by warning consumers to securely anchor furniture to prevent furniture tip overs," Mr Keogh said.
Rental safety
Several states have previously implemented laws to protect renters' rights to secure their furniture.
Western Australia amended their Residential Tenancies Act in 2019 to state that landlords must allow tenants, who submit a request form, to attach furniture to the wall.
The state's laws were triggered by the death of a 21-month-old child, Reef Kite, who was killed by a falling chest of drawers in 2015.
New South Wales also mended their tenancy laws to allow for securing furniture with the landlord's consent, which they can not unreasonably reject.
Victoria has passed laws stating renters can install wall anchors for furniture on all surfaces except exposed brick and concrete walls without permission.
The toppling furniture information standard will require suppliers to:
- Attach a permanent warning label to furniture.
- Include safety information and advice about anchoring furniture in manuals and assembly instructions.
- Provide warnings about the hazards of toppling furniture in furniture stores and online.
The standard will apply to chests of drawers, wardrobes, bookcases, hall tables, display cabinets, buffets and sideboards with a height of 686mm or more, and entertainment units of any height.
Suppliers will have a 12-month transition period to action the requirements.
As well as introducing stricter standards for suppliers, the ACCC recommended several steps to go along with securing furniture:
- Keep your heaviest items at the bottom of your drawers or shelves.
- Do not place heavy items such as TVs or items that are attractive to children on top of furniture.
- Put locking devices on all drawers. They help prevent children from opening them and using them as steps.
Jessica Belzycki
Journalist at the Newcastle Herald.
Journalist at the Newcastle Herald.
