Tipping the Scale Against Tip Over Injuries and Deaths
When people explore the intricate mazes within furniture retailers for their interior design needs, style often precedes safety. Something that fits the aesthetics of a space may not always align with the safety of its users. Unfortunately, incidents where furniture falls over occur more often than you think, and they can happen when you least expect them. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, approximately every 20 minutes someone in the U.S. is killed or injured when a piece of furniture, a TV, or a home appliance tips over. These tip over cases occur within the safety of our homes, and they pose serious dangers to infants and small children.
However, one of the giants in the furniture industry is taking strides to combat this issue. Swedish retailer Ikea recently unveiled a new line of tip-resistant dressers designed to prevent furniture tip over deaths. After developing the concept within focus groups, Ikea has sourced it out for mass production. This brand of dressers, called Glesvar, will be available for purchase in all U.S. and United Kingdom Ikea stores beginning in December 2019.
Glesvar Safety Features
The Glesvar line contains several unique safety features that greatly alleviate the danger of tipping over. These dressers come in three different designs: one uses interlocking drawers to stop multiple drawers from being opened at the same time, while the other two styles of furniture must be anchored to a wall before being operational. The set-up requirements are essentially impossible to bypass, ensuring that all dressers are safely secured before use. The design of Glesvar furniture focuses on stability first and foremost.
Previous Hazards from IKEA Furniture
Ikea itself is no stranger to accidents involving falling furniture. In 2016, the retailer recalled millions of its dressers; because its sale of unstable furniture was linked to the deaths of at least 10 children, Ikea agreed to this recall and also a separate settlement with the families of the deceased children. Those who returned their faulty furniture during the recall were given store credit to use.
Currently, the Swedish retailer is pushing forward to leave these negative incidents in the past. Its emphasis remains squarely on safety. Head of Project Engineering Vladimir Brajkovic explains within the announcement of the Glesvar line: “Product safety is always a top priority at Ikea. It is a precondition to fulfil our vision to create a better everyday life for the many people and it is the core of our democratic design process”. He continues, “If our vision is to create a better everyday life for people, we need to make their everyday life safer”.
Although these efforts clearly represent a movement in the right direction, some consumer safety advocates are not completely satisfied. Many, such as Nancy Cowles, executive director of Kids in Danger, believe that the Glesvar line is a good start. However, she cautions, “we are urging Ikea to extend this type of thinking to its entire product line and for other manufacturers to design all dressers to be resistant to tip-overs, not just specific models”. These consumer safety advocates strive for a future where all furniture designs revolve around resistance to tipping over.
Especially following the recent opening of an Ikea store in Norfolk this past April, citizens in Hampton Roads and the Virginia Beach area should prioritize safety when shopping for furniture. Thankfully, shoppers can feel at ease that Ikea has undergone such lengths to protect their consumers. However, while the development of Glesvar dressers alleviates the danger of tip over incidents, the threat of injury due to falling furniture still looms overhead. These accidents can happen to anyone unpredictably, so it is imperative for consumers to be alert for any faults in their household goods.
Learn More About Furniture Tip Over Accidents By Calling Us
For many years, the attorneys at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers have represented clients injured by faulty or falling products. For instance, one such client purchased an oven which had been manufactured improperly, inflicting serious harm once it fell over. You have the right to sue if you believe that faulty furniture or appliances have caused a serious injury to either you or a loved one. If you have ever been injured in a tip over accident, Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers are here to help. We have a dedicated team of product liability attorneys ready to answer your call. Contact us today.
