Furniture stability
The furniture in your home may present hidden dangers you've not considered. Think 'safety first' with these helpful tips.
Identify furniture hazards
Small children can climb on furniture such as freestanding bookcases, drawers, wardrobes and sideboards. If the furniture is unsecured, the child's weight can cause it to topple.
Falling furniture can strike, trap or crush a child. Injuries can include broken bones, brain injuries, blunt force trauma, crushed chest cavities or death by asphyxiation.
Since 2000, 28 people—including 17 children under 5—have died in Australia from toppling furniture and, each year, more than 900 Australians suffer injuries requiring medical assistance from toppling furniture. Children aged up to 4 are most at risk, with older Australians also vulnerable.
Watch our video to identify furniture hazards.
[Dr Ruth Barker, Mater Emergency Paediatric hospital]
For young children, home can be a dangerous place. In Queensland, 1 child every 3 days is injured when an item of furniture tips over and lands on top of them.
From a toddler's perspective, their home looks like one big playground. But they don't recognise the dangers. The trouble is, most parents don't recognise the dangers either.
[Parent talking on the phone]
Hi. How are you? Yeah, good. Yeah, really good.
Yeah, I've just got to go out at 3. I've got to get the kids from school, so….
[Video crosses to a young child reaching for a toy on top of the TV. The TV teeters dangerously. There’s a crash as the TV falls over.]
[Dr Ruth Barker, Mater Childrens Hospital Emergency pediatrician]
This is every parent's nightmare. It can happen so quickly and without any warning.
If you could see what I see every day in emergency, you would view your home very differently.
For toddlers, most injuries occur in their own home. Most tip-over injuries occur when a child climbs on the furniture.
By far the greatest hazard in your home is the TV and the cabinet that it stands on.
No one can keep an eye on their child every minute of the day. There are always jobs to do, distractions and maybe even other children to care for.
Constant vigilance isn't possible, but it is possible to make your home safer.
So how would you go about this?
Well, you could select furniture with broad and stable bases. Test the furniture in the shop to make sure it's stable
Secure potentially unstable items such as bookcases and TV cabinets to the wall using appropriate anchors.
Keep power cords out of reach.
Place any heavy appliances, particularly televisions, as far back as possible on the furniture.
Choose tables that won't tip if a child climbs onto them.
Use child resistant locks on drawers to prevent your child opening them and using them as steps.
Place an open playpen around your TV as a temporary barrier.
Stop your child from climbing on the furniture.
And please don't place any tempting items, such as toys, on top of the furniture because it will only encourage your child to climb up for them.
Your life can change in an instant. A few simple steps can make all the difference. Your child may not get a second chance.
If you want to know more, please visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au.
Buy new furniture that complies with the information standard
Furniture suppliers are required to provide safety warnings to consumers about the dangers of toppling furniture hazards since the Consumer Goods (Toppling Furniture) Information Standard 2024 (the information standard) was introduced on 3 May 2024. A 12-month transition period will help the furniture industry comply with the new requirements.
Visit the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) website for more information on the information standard, including:
- products the mandatory standard applies or doesn't apply to
- complying with the mandatory standard
- what happens when a product doesn't comply
- mandatory standard details.
Tips to ensure your furniture is safe
Read the ACCC's toppling furniture and televisions product guide for tips on things to look for when buying furniture and how to use the products safely, including:
- where to put furniture
- securing furniture and TVs
- keeping your children safe
- advice for tenants.
If you're renting, always ask your landlord or agent for permission to make fixture or structural changes, including installing a furniture strap, angle brace or anchor to the wall. Make sure you get the landlord or agent's approval in writing.