Consumer Reports Experts Look at Dangerous Dressers

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) – Look around your room. Is there something dangerous there that would hurt or even kill a child?

What about your child’s bedroom?

For years, furniture tip-overs have injured and even killed too many children.

“The good news is that all of the dressers we tested that were manufactured after September 2023 passed our rigorous rollover tests,” said Lauren Kirchner, investigative reporter for Consumer Reports.

Consumer Reports’ tests include pulling out drawers and hanging 60-pound weights from one of the top drawers for at least 10 seconds, simulating a child climbing or hanging from furniture. If the chest of drawers stays upright, pass.

But that doesn’t mean every dresser in every bedroom is safe. Old dressers prone to tipping over are still on the market. In fact, two dressers manufactured before September 2023 failed Consumer Reports’ recent tests.

Both Ashley and Bassett confirmed that their powder rooms had been built before the new rule went into effect.

“The new rule only applies to locker rooms built after September 1, 2023,” Kirchner explained. “Anything built before that date does not have to meet the new requirements, but can still be sold.”

Retailer responses have varied. Ikea announced in April that all of its dressers in the U.S. now meet the new standard, while Bassett Furniture told Consumer Reports that between 10 and 20 percent of dressers currently sold were built before September 2023.

Target said it expects all of its dressers sold to pass the new tip-over tests, and Amazon said all of its dressers comply with the STURDY Act.
So what does this mean for you?

If you’re shopping for a dresser, here are some tips: Buy in person. Ask when the dresser was made and whether it meets the requirements of the STURDY Act.

For online buyers, look for a manufacturing date after September 1, 2023.

Even if the furniture meets HEAVY DUTY standards, always use the anchoring kit that comes with your dresser; It is now a legal requirement.

Consumer Reports also contacted several other retailers about their vanities. Wayfair said some of the dressers it sells may have been manufactured before September 2023… while Costco and Walmart did not respond.

Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at [email protected].

Road trip to see some of our neighbors’ best Halloween decorations

We are just a few days away from Halloween. Americans are expected to spend about $12 billion on candy, costumes and decorations this year. In recent years, it seems like a lot more people are putting in the effort to decorate their homes. Forrest Sanders had the opportunity to visit several communities in the center of the state to see some of those Halloween decorations.

-Lelan Statom