ALERT: 1.6 Million Dressers Sold at Walmart Have Been Recalled
Walmart shoppers, beware: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a recall of approximately 1.6 million dressers sold at Walmart due to concerns that they can tip over and fall on children.
The recall includes Ameriwood Mainstay's four-drawer dressers, which were sold between April 2009 and May 2016. The dressers were available in six colors: alder, black forest, white, weathered oak, walnut and ruby red, and retailed for about $60.
In their announcement, the CPSC explained that these drawers pose "serious tip-over and entrapment hazards that can result in death or injuries to children" when they are not anchored to the wall. They also said that they fail to comply with performance requirements of the U.S. voluntary industry standard.
The follow model numbers are included in the recall: 5412012WP, 5412301WP, 5412328WP, 5412015WY, 5412301WY, 5412012PCOM, 5412015PCOM, 5412026PCOM, 5412213PCOM, 5412214PCOM, 5412301PCOM, 5412317PCOM, and 5412328PCOM. You can locate the model number on the dresser's instruction manual.
Consumers who own dressers affected by the recall should immediately stop using them if they are not properly anchored to the wall or are placed in an area that is accessible by children. The CPSC has received one report of injury after a recalled chest of drawers tipped over onto a four-year-old.
Rachel Rothman, Chief Technologist at the Good Housekeeping Institute, says parents can avoid this type of accident with some safety precautions. She recommends "installing drawer latches on all dresser and bureau drawers to prevent children from climbing and possible subsequent entrapment underneath if furniture tips over." Rothman added, "It's best to attach big pieces directly into wall studs with brackets. And be mindful to never place heavy items atop cabinets to avoid them ever falling off."
Ameriwood is offering a free repair kit that includes a wall anchoring device and feet to stabilize the dresser. To claim your kit contact Ameriwood toll-free at 877-222-7460 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or online at meriwood.com and click on "Support" for more information.
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