IKEA Reannounces Recall of MALM and Other Models of Chests and Dressers Due to Serious Tip-over Hazard; 8th Child Fatality Reported; Consumers Urged to Choose Between Refund or Repair
By MPB Safety Desk · Reviewed by Faruk Talmaç
Hazard
The recalled chests and dressers are unstable if they are not properly anchored to the wall, posing serious tip-over and entrapment hazards that can result in injuries or death to children.
What parents need to know
IKEA recalled roughly 17.3 million MALM and other chests and dressers that can tip over and fatally crush a child if they are not anchored to the wall. By this 2017 re-announcement, the recall had been tied to eight child deaths. If you own one of these IKEA chests or dressers, stop using it anywhere a child can reach, and either anchor it to the wall with IKEA's free restraint kit or return it to IKEA for a full refund. Anchoring furniture to a wall stud is the single most effective way to prevent tip-over deaths, and it matters for every dresser, not just this one.
Recall details
From the official U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission record
- Recall number
- #18040
- Recall date
- Units affected
- About 17.3 million (Based on updated information from IKEA, the number of U.S. units has been revised downward from June 2016.)
- Remedy
- Consumers should immediately stop using any recalled chest or dresser that is not properly anchored to the wall and place it in an area that children cannot access. Contact IKEA for a choice between two options: refund or a free wall-anchoring kit. IKEA will pick up the recalled dressers free of charge or provide a one-time, free in-home wall-anchoring service for consumers upon request. Consumers can obtain assistance from IKEA through its website at www.IKEA-USA.com or http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/ikea-chest-and-dresser-recall/index.html. Consumers with chests and dressers manufactured prior to January 2002 are eligible for a partial store credit.
- Products and models
- Children's and adult chests and dressers
- Sold at
- IKEA stores nationwide and online at www.IKEA.com from January 2002 through June 2016 for between $70 and $200. Other chests and dressers subject to this recall were sold between approximately 1985 and June 2016.
- Consumer contact
- IKEA toll-free at 866-856-4532 anytime, or online at www.IKEA-USA.com or http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/ikea-chest-and-dresser-recall/index.html for more information and to participate in the recall.
Recall details are summarized from official government sources and reviewed by our editors before publishing. Information can change after publication — always confirm the current status, affected models, and remedy instructions in the official U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission notice before acting.