Secure it! Creating safer homes together

When developing our furniture, we do everything we can to make them as safe as possible. That includes the choice of materials and the construction of the furniture. But, we haven’t yet figured out how to outsmart the laws of nature, like the fact that a pulled out drawer works like a lever.

Perhaps you remember the principle of leverage from the physics lessons in school? If not, it can be described like this: even a small weight can shift the centre of gravity considerably if the weight is applied to a pulled out drawer (or an open door). It means that a small child that stands, sits or climbs on an open drawer can cause a large chest of drawers to tip over if it’s not secured – despite the child’s low weight.

Children and tipping chests of drawers

Children are curious and creative. That’s how they learn new things and discover the world around them. But, it also contributes to children 1-7 years old being more accident-prone. And the smallest ones, 1-4 years old, are most at risk of serious injuries. That’s why a chest of drawers – no matter model or size – can be a hazard if it isn’t secured to the wall.  

There are examples from all over the world where children have pulled out one or several drawers and climbed on them like a ladder, hung on, heaved up on, or climbed into them. But, by securing your chest of drawers to the wall, you can prevent and minimize the risks for the little explorer.

Adults and tipping chests of drawers

Not only children who accidentally tip over chests of drawers and risk injuries. Adults sometimes open several drawers at the same time, especially when in a hurry. Sometimes we put too many or too heavy things in front of the drawers. In these cases, the centre of gravity shifts outside the base of the furniture and they tip over. An uneven floor, a carpet edge or a thick wall-to-wall carpet can also cause instability and tipping accidents.

Opening several drawers at the same time, in search of something.

Using the drawers as a ladder to reach an object.

Pulling or hanging in a drawer for fun.

Sitting in a drawer during play.

Opening all the drawers at the same time out of curiosity.

Leaning on a drawer for support or to rise up from the floor.