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
Reviewed and published by MPB Safety Desk
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.
- Product description
- This recall reannouncement involves MALM and other IKEA chests and dressers that do not comply with the requirements of the U.S. voluntary industry standard (ASTM F2057-14). The recalled children's and adult chests and dressers include the MALM 3-drawer, 4-drawer, 5-drawer and three 6-drawer models and other non-MALM models. The recalled children's chests and dressers are taller than 23.5 inches; recalled adult chests and dressers are taller than 29.5 inches. The MALM chests and dressers are constructed of particleboard or fiberboard and are white, birch (veneer), medium brown, black-brown, white stained oak (veneer), oak (veneer), pink, turquoise, grey, grey-turquoise, lilac, green, brown stained ash (veneer), and black. A 5-digit supplier number, 4-digit date stamp, IKEA logo, country of origin and "MALM" are printed on the underside of the top panel or inside the side panel. RECALLED MALM CHESTS AND DRESSERS Names Sold Dates Measurements MALM 3 10/2002 to 6/2016 31½" x 187/8" x 30¾" MALM 4 6/2002 to 6/2016 31½" x 187/8" x 39½" MALM 5 10/2002 to 4/2006 157/8" x 19" x 481/4" MALM 6 6/2002 to 6/2016 31½" x 187/8" x 483/8" MALM 6 LONG 11/2002 to 6/2016 63" x 187/8" x 30¾" MALM 6 4/2006 to 6/2016 153/4" x 191/8" x 483/8" OTHER CHESTS AND DRESSERS INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL To see a complete list of other non-MALM chests and dressers included in this recall, click on this link www.IKEA-USA.com or http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/ikea-chest-and-dresser-recall/index.html on IKEA's website. Since 1996, IKEA chests and dressers have been labeled to identify IKEA, the model name and the manufacturing date.
- 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.