IKEA Product Recalls: Safety Information and Consumer Alerts
Overview of IKEA Product Recalls
IKEA is committed to customer safety, ensuring all products undergo rigorous testing to meet applicable standards and legislation. This document outlines significant product recalls, with a focus on furniture safety and consumer guidance.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) plays a vital role in protecting consumers from product-related hazards. The CPSC's efforts have contributed to a decline in deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past decades.
Furniture Tip-Over Hazards: Chests and Dressers
A primary concern for IKEA recalls involves chests and dressers, due to the severe risk of tip-over incidents. These events can cause serious injury or death, especially to children, often occurring when children climb on furniture.
MALM Series Chests and Dressers
The MALM series has been subject to recalls due to tip-over risks. IKEA has documented numerous tip-over incidents involving MALM chests and dressers, resulting in injuries and fatalities.
- Reported Fatalities: Several child deaths have been linked to unanchored MALM chests and dressers tipping over. Notable incidents include:
- October 2007: A 3-year-old girl died when an unanchored MALM 6-drawer chest fell on her.
- September 2011: A 2-year-old boy died after an unanchored MALM 3-drawer chest tipped over, trapping him.
- February 2014: A 2-year-old boy died when an unanchored MALM 6-drawer chest tipped over, fatally pinning him.
- February 2016: A 22-month-old boy died after being trapped under an unanchored MALM 3-drawer chest that tipped over.
- May 2017: A 2-year-old boy died in Buena Park, Calif., after a three-drawer IKEA MALM dresser tipped over onto him, a year after the dresser had been recalled.
- Incidents and Injuries: IKEA has received 186 reports of tip-over incidents involving MALM chests and dressers, with 91 reports of injuries to children.
- Recall Scope: Other IKEA chests and dressers subject to similar recalls were sold between approximately 1985 and June 2016.
- Consumer Action: Customers are strongly advised to stop using recalled furniture if it is not securely anchored to the wall. IKEA provides a full refund for recalled items, often without requiring proof of purchase.
Other Recalled Chests and Dressers
Additional IKEA chest and dresser models have been recalled due to tip-over risks:
- KURS 3-drawer chest: A child fatality occurred when this chest tipped over and fatally pinned the child.
- GUTE 4-drawer chest: A 20-month-old girl died after this chest tipped over and pinned her.
- RAKKE 5-drawer chest: A 2½-year-old boy died when this chest tipped over and fatally pinned him.
- Hemnes eight-drawer dresser: Although IKEA stated this model met voluntary standards, it was involved in incidents. Consumer advocates highlight the need for stronger, mandatory safety standards, citing that voluntary standards may not reflect real-world usage.
Safety Standards Advocacy: Consumer advocates and organizations like Consumer Reports (CR) are pushing for more robust, mandatory safety standards for furniture. They advocate for testing methods that simulate real-life conditions, such as drawers being loaded and furniture placed on carpeting.
Consumer Rights: Under consumer protection laws, customers are entitled to a full refund for recalled products. Proof of purchase is often waived for recalled IKEA furniture.
IKEA Odger Swivel Chair Recall
IKEA has also issued a recall for the Odger Swivel Chair (anthracite colour). This recall is due to reports of the chair breaking at the star base of the leg, creating a risk of falls and injuries to users.
- Affected Product: Odger Swivel Chair (anthracite colour) with date stamps up to and including 2221 (year-week format, located under the seat).
- Reason for Recall: Reports indicate the chair's leg base can break, leading to potential falls and user injuries.
- Customer Action: Consumers who own the affected chair should cease using it immediately and return it to any IKEA store for a full refund.
Consumer Safety Resources and Contact Information
For guidance on preventing furniture tip-overs, resources such as AnchorIt.gov are recommended. The CPSC Consumer Information Hotline is available for product safety inquiries and to report unsafe products at 800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054).
For the latest product recall updates and related information, customers can visit the IKEA website or contact IKEA Customer Services.
