Children under 6 are being injured more frequently these days by overturned shelf units, desks, chests of drawers, and other tall furniture. Children try climbing to reach something at the top of the unit. Look at your furniture. If the shelves are spaced close enough to work as a climbing ladder or if you can make a "ladder" by pulling out drawers, do something to keep children from crawling up and perhaps falling down. Drawers can be locked with locks that open with a magnet or key. Don't put children's toys or enticing objects at the top of a tall piece. Also watch out for folding screens that could fall. And people who live in earthquake regions should be sure all tall furniture is screwed or tied to a wall, a stud or another strong support.
3 comments:
There are plenty of products out there in "Earthquake Country" that will effectively tie a tall piece of furniture to a wall or stud without damaging the piece you are trying to preserve. Some use a velcro and eyelet system, others use removable strap -- all you have to do is look at your local hardware store or online. OSH (Orchard Supply Hardware) has vast array of products to tie down not only furniture and objects d' arte, but even your electronics and computer. Look in their usually well-stocked earthquake section.
If children are in a home at any time, all tall furniture should be secured to a wall. Ell-brackets are a quick and easy way to do this securely.
The screw-hole in the piece and wall are nothing compared to the possibility of killing a child if the piece topples.
I had a very good friend at the age of sixteen climb up a shelf that was loaded with products to reach something at the top. The shelf came over on top of him and paralyzed him from the waist down for life. He was a very active young man before this happened. Take precautions please.
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