Every year, furniture tip-overs result in thousands of emergency room visits across Australia, with chest of drawers and dressers being among the most common culprits. While these incidents are largely preventable, many households remain unaware of the simple yet crucial safety measures that can protect their families. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about securing your bedroom furniture and creating a safer home environment.
Understanding the Risk
Chest of drawers present a unique tipping hazard due to their height-to-width ratio and the way weight shifts when drawers are opened. A tallboy with multiple drawers pulled out simultaneously creates a significant forward centre of gravity that can cause the entire unit to topple. Children are particularly vulnerable because they may climb on furniture or pull out multiple drawers at once, and their smaller stature means they're more likely to be struck by a falling piece.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has documented numerous incidents involving unsecured furniture. Understanding these risks isn't meant to create alarm but rather to emphasise the importance of proactive safety measures that every household should implement.
Key Statistic
Research indicates that a piece of furniture tips over onto a child approximately every 17 minutes in homes worldwide. Most of these incidents involve dressers and chest of drawers that were not properly anchored to the wall.
Wall Anchoring: Your First Line of Defence
The single most effective safety measure you can take is anchoring your chest of drawers to the wall. Most quality furniture now comes with anti-tip kits included in the box, though many consumers unfortunately leave these unused. If your furniture didn't include anchoring hardware, aftermarket kits are readily available and simple to install.
Types of Wall Anchors
L-brackets and straps are the most common anchoring solution. These typically involve attaching one end to the back of the furniture and the other to a wall stud. The strap allows for some movement when opening drawers while preventing the unit from tipping forward completely.
Furniture anchor cables offer a more discreet option, using braided steel cables that can support significant weight. These are particularly useful for heavier solid wood pieces or in rental properties where minimal wall damage is preferred.
Heavy-duty wall brackets provide the most secure attachment for especially tall or heavy units. These rigid brackets eliminate any forward movement and are recommended for tallboys over 120 centimetres in height.
Proper Installation Steps
- Locate wall studs using a stud finder—anchoring into drywall alone is insufficient
- Position the anchor point as high as possible on the furniture back
- Use appropriate screws for both the furniture type and wall material
- Test the anchor by gently pulling the furniture forward after installation
- Recheck anchors every six months and after any furniture repositioning
Weight Distribution Principles
How you load your chest of drawers significantly impacts its stability. Following proper weight distribution principles adds an extra layer of safety beyond anchoring alone.
Heavy items go low. Always place your heaviest belongings in the bottom drawers. This keeps the centre of gravity low and makes the unit inherently more stable. Jumpers, jeans, and bulky items should occupy the lower drawers, while lighter items like t-shirts, socks, and underwear belong in upper drawers.
Avoid overloading any single drawer. An overstuffed drawer is difficult to close properly and adds excessive weight that can stress the drawer runners and destabilise the unit. If you consistently struggle to close a drawer, redistribute items or consider whether you need additional storage furniture.
Quick Tip
Never place heavy items like televisions on top of chest of drawers, especially unsecured units. If you must use the top surface for display items, keep them lightweight and positioned toward the back, not the front edge.
Child-Proofing Strategies
Homes with young children require additional precautions beyond standard anchoring. Children are naturally curious and may attempt to climb furniture or use open drawers as steps.
Drawer Stops and Locks
Installing drawer stops prevents drawers from being pulled out completely, eliminating the risk of a child pulling a drawer onto themselves. Drawer locks take this further by preventing unauthorised access entirely, which is particularly useful for storing items you want to keep away from children.
Room Layout Considerations
Position chest of drawers away from beds and other furniture that children might use as launching points. Ensure there's no clear "climbing path" that an adventurous toddler might find appealing. Keep toys and attractive items off the top of dressers to remove the temptation to climb.
Supervision and Education
As children grow, teach them about furniture safety. Explain why they shouldn't climb on dressers or hang from drawer fronts. While education doesn't replace physical safety measures, it's an important complement to child-proofing efforts.
Choosing Inherently Safer Furniture
When shopping for new chest of drawers, certain design features indicate better stability:
- Wide base designs with a low centre of gravity are inherently more stable than narrow tallboys
- Interlocking drawer mechanisms that only allow one drawer to open at a time prevent dangerous weight shifts
- Weighted bases in some premium furniture add stability through strategic weight placement
- Included anti-tip hardware indicates a manufacturer's commitment to safety
- Quality construction with proper weight distribution throughout the unit
Consider lowboy designs for homes with young children. While they offer less vertical storage, their lower profile and wider stance make them significantly more stable than tall, narrow alternatives.
Regular Safety Audits
Furniture safety isn't a one-time task. Schedule regular checks to ensure your safety measures remain effective:
- Test wall anchors monthly by applying gentle forward pressure
- Check for loose screws or worn straps
- Reassess after earthquakes or any significant home disturbance
- Review drawer loading when seasonal clothing changes occur
- Update safety measures as children grow and their capabilities change
What to Do If You're Renting
Tenants often hesitate to anchor furniture due to concerns about wall damage. However, most landlords understand the safety implications and will permit small holes for anti-tip devices. Document any installations with photos and fill holes when moving out using standard wall filler.
Alternatively, look for freestanding anti-tip solutions that don't require wall attachment. Furniture wedges, for example, can help level units and improve stability without any permanent installation.
Key Takeaway
Furniture safety is entirely achievable with minimal effort and cost. A basic anti-tip kit costs under $20 and takes minutes to install—a small investment that could prevent a serious injury. Don't wait for an incident to take action; secure your chest of drawers today.
Summary
Protecting your family from furniture tip-overs requires a combination of proper anchoring, smart weight distribution, and ongoing vigilance. Wall anchoring is the single most important safety measure, but it should be complemented by child-proofing strategies and regular safety audits. When shopping for new furniture, prioritise designs with inherent stability features and manufacturers who include anti-tip hardware. By implementing these measures, you can enjoy your bedroom furniture with peace of mind, knowing you've taken responsible steps to create a safer home environment.